Leopard Geckos Don't Live in Deserts? 

This is a great video man! We’ve got a need for “have you considered this wildly different information compared to what you think you know” type presentations in this hobby and you’ve done just that here, and without being pretentious. I will consider this information when making my own enclosures and when presenting leopard gecko information in my own videos. Well done!

this is THE best video on leopard geckos ive seen please make a part 2

Now apply this mindset to the ridiculous economy of ball python breeding in bin systems. This community must change to be ethically better

I love this! It's so difficult to find this type of information for more common species because your results are clogged with captive individuals.

Excellent information and thank you for emphasizing the point of offering options and allowing the animals to make choices!

Thank you! For the last 3 years I've owned my Leo and I am planning out a vivarium for him and I just thought that all desert was too bland. When I went and reached out for some advice when it came to certain features like water or humidity, even flora, I've always been met with restrictions like "they will have respiratory issues" or "you can't have more than one different kind of plant". After watching this I can go and start sketching and over all redesigning the vivarium with more liberty then I've ever had!

Zero surprise. I work with western heterodons and most of the natural history and biology and ecology basically everything about them commonly repeated by pet owners just doesn't match reality. It's not that hard to provide animals choices and record what they choose. It's not hard to go back and read all the studies on a species in the wild and while it can be tricky to do fieldwork, it is worthwhile. What is hard is getting the real data to stick in people's minds when there is so much misinformation repeated and the truth can't be boiled down to just a sound bite. Thanks for working to get information out there.

Love this info! I’m setting up a new enclosure for my Gecko and will definitely be applying this info to his set up! Pls keep these videos coming!

Excellent. This idea needs to be applied to many species. To often we simply dont know how the species really interacts with the microclimates of their broader habitat. Providing these broad gradients allows us to actually observe and learn and adapt the enclosure to the animals needs and preferences.

I loved your interview about reptile emotions on Animals At Home podcast and looked up your youtube channel and I am STOKED. This is exactly the kind of reptile content I want to see. Thank you for taking the time and energy to produce this channel!

Wow i've been and stayed for a couple of months hiking in the area mentioned in the video called 'Himchal Pradesh' @3:53 at the 'foot hills' (lol, its epic in reality) of the himalayas. They have massive mountains, cliffs, forests, green fields. Himalayan cedars - Cedrus deodora, pines, etc. They get massive snow falls at times and minus temperatures. But there are lots of caves and rocks to hide in between for a lizard to live. I didn't really see any drier areas there at all IMO, until you went above elevations of 2500m / 8200ft where the landscape becomes a dry highland desert.

I'll be constructing my first Leopard Gecko enclosure soon. Thanks to your presentation I think I'm now better educated than before. Great work.

Thank you for this! Its valuable information for those of us who truly wish to provide the most natural habitat possible for all of our captive reptiles.

I found the first paper you talked about a few days ago, before finding this video. I've been looking to upgrade my leopard gecko to a bioactive enclosure and finding ANY research on the habitats of wild leopard geckos is surprisingly hard! Seeing the pine forest photo in that paper really inspired me, and it's great to see others in the hobby doing this kind of research!

I listened to a podcast talking about a very similar topic in herpticulture. It was fascinating, this was put it a far more digestible way. Loved the video. Very interesting information.

This is the first time I have come across one of your videos and I would just like to say, I would say this is some of the most valuable information in the hobby!!! Not all hero's wear capes.. you my friend need one! I wish this had 6 million more likes!

Another one knocked out of the park!

Holy crap... I apparently need to change my leopard geckos habitat a bit (yes she has fresh water!)

This is awesome. I will say it is rather challenging to find much wild information in English. I have setup large biotopes for them based on specific locations from specific small biodiversity parks so i am a big proponent of this video.

You will probably never see this comment, but the chance that you do. Your comment at the end, "never stop learning", is why I'm subscribing 🤙 much respect for that

Best quote is from the guy studying them actually. “I think leopard geckos may actually be so far removed from its wild counterpart’s that some serious thoughts and planning would have to go into keeping them in truly naturalistic conditions” This is probably because captive leopard geckos are so far removed from there wild counterparts they are often listed as there own subspecies or generalized by the E. Macularious macularious definition It’s just a generalized definition/description of a leopard geckos in captivity. This is due to subspecies being crossed at the budding stages of the leopard gecko hobby to create what we now know today as the common leopard gecko you see in all pet stores. Eublepharis macularius macularious So just like what works best also for various subspecies the same can be said for the current captive form of the species when it comes to care.

this is like how red knee tarantula do not live in deserts but commonly in woodlands

Amazing video! We need more of this, I have a hard time finding accurate information on many commonly kept herptiles. These videos you all are putting out are so important to create a better relationship between our pets and ourselves!

Excellent Ricky.

Thank you so much for taking the time to educate me. I can imagine I'll be sharing this video many times in the future

Great video! Saw it shared on a Leopard Gecko facebook group so the info is spreading! Wonderfull

omg love it. i would like to advance the dietary considerations of snakes(and other reps i guess) who are only reallly eating one or two food items.

Loving these. More please.

Very nice episode. Although I don't keep leopard geckos, the information is very useful for all species as microhabitats are often overlooked in most species. All the while they should be key for our husbandry.

We have a standard leopard and a fancy leopard gecko !! LOVE THESE PETS!!

Thank you!!!

Very interesting video! I will be upgrading my Leopard Gecko shortly and this has given me many things to consider with respect to the build! I was already going bigger than "recommended size" but now have to consider how to create differing micro habitats than the standard arid environment. Thank you for this information!

Great video! I think the research you've found just strengthens the idea that bigger is better when considering enclosure size. It's just too hard to meet lighting, humidity, and temperature ranges in a small area. I am convinced, after watching this video, that a 40 gallon is the way to go. Definitely subscribed to your channel. 😊

Awesome video. Thank you. More like this of crested, gargoyle and bearded dragons please?😊

Great video , thanks .

Thank you for posting this! I've really appreciated Khan's research paper over the years and what it reveals about the diversity of their environs and life cycles of leopard geckos. I've applied a bit of those findings to my charges but would be kidding myself to say it is a "more natural" way to keeping them

This video makes me feel better about having my gecko because its been hard controlling the humidity in my room since i live in the midwest USA, and ive been desperately trying to get it below 40% bc people keep saying if it gets over 40% they will give them URIs.

Incredible video, thank you for this. Really changed how I am designing a chambered ecosystem for my leppies

Our AC unit went out this summer and we have been roughing it. It has been so humid in our house. (We live in TN, USA) My gecko is reaping the benefits. Her skin has turned an entire different texture. She was way more rough on top of her back. Now she is much more soft. Now I feel bad cause I feel it was too arid in her habit for her and drying her out. This video makes sense and I do believe they need a more humid environment.

Another excellent video Ricky, thanks! Very informative and making me think more and more about my husbandry.

This is so interesting to know! I've been working on a bioactive set up and made a moist hide, but I wonder if I could go further and make more small humidity pockets for the microclimate aspect! I also plan on misting lightly daily or every other day, depending how it goes when finished!

very informative, thank u

Thank you for this!

Best video on the subject that I have see so far. I wounder if any of these opinions have changed over the past two years.

Very interesting, thank you for sharing

what a great episode! Where did u get this info or passionfor researching this out further than most?

I really appreciated this! Ive been trying to gather information to get ready to make upgraded enclosures for my Geckos but it's hard as all get out to find information

This has given me a lot to think about. You should make more videos about enclosure reccomendations, and should tell other content creators as well

thank you for the nice video✨ I learned a lot

So Wonderful

Fantastic content. A lot of this brought me to thoughts of caution I heard from Terry Phillip (One of the managers of Reptile Gardens SD here in US) on a snake podcast and he pointed out that snakes/reptiles in general endure the extremes of their environments. But that doesn't make that a good thing, IE Tree Python gets rained on constantly to the point of extreme, but that's objectively not a good idea to just constantly spray a snake. I think that thought process can be applied to a lot of species where sometimes the temp/humidity parameters may be doing more harm than good. Anyways, getting a little long winded, look forward to more of this kind of deep dive into natural ranges of other species if you can find the time. HMU if you want I can maybe find that old podcast if you're interested.

A nice video. I know that I have a larger than recommended tank for my leopard gecko, have a deep heat projector to emulate a natural heat gradient, and a UVB bulb for extra vitamin d/calcium, have a digging cave, and also have a few thin drown proof topper water bowls that they can walk around on but don't terribly increase humidity. I definitely think we should try to be as naturalistic as possible

Another great video with great information keep it up guys

Great Video! Very informative!

Thank you for this. Super interesting information! I have three leopard geckos :)

I’ve often seen people talk about how their leopard gecko has troubles shedding and this made me wonder if it’s the fact that the leo doesn’t have anything to cram itself into? Like in the wild it would be squeezing it’s way into cracks and that would help the gecko get that skin off. I’ve seen tons of hides that have open space and nowhere for them to squeeze in to

Maybe another way would be to go through cycles of varied humidity and temperature levels. Like "seasons" would progress in the wild. I think few enclosures would fit all the conditions at the same time.

This video needs so many more views wish I saw it earlier!

I wish I saw this 16 years ago because like all animals geckos get used certain types of enclosure and that's where they feel at home. I have actually tried all sorts of different bedding materials but the only thing he's comfortable in seems to be fine sand. I do have some dirt in there as well but he never goes there unless he's shedding so I guess he doesn't like the more moist terrain. I'd love to rework his habitant into a mossy,rocky area but he'd just be stressed and refuse to eat for weeks and probably never happy unless I still keep his sandy cave in there. That said I had no idea some people thought that they only need moisture gotten from eating, thought everyone knew they needed a water dish, that's why pet stores are full of the ones that look like rocks.

Awsome video, thanks as we all want our repi's to live there best life!!🦎🐸🐌🕷🐍. Xxx

great watch. I think herp keeping is on the verge of a huge change for the better

i made my tank 2 sided ... one with rocks and sand and the other side with moss, soil and wood after keeping them for a few month i could see them preference the dry desert side so expanded that side a bit further ...

Fantastic! I always thought it was bizarre that Leopard Gecko care was always suggested to be purely arid, when if you compare morphology to say beardies, well. Bit strange is all haha.

I have never understoon not providing water. you are keeping naimals in a box, they have no choices to leave for water, only what you provide. I'm pretty sure there's only really been one species considered to *only* depend on water from its food and its some kind of dessert rodent... a mammal!

Definitely a thoughtfully made video, that many more folk should see! I wish more people could be this open minded about the substrate and environment for their geckos. :) ( have to disagree with you saying we don't keep Eublepharis Angramainyu though! I have two and I'm just in the UK Midlands. Researching and adjusting their care from the Leo baseline has been interesting, to say the least)

Great video, has Ben discussed or written about how he found those leopard geckos - (time of day/night, field technique, etc)?

Thank you im from vietnam i love you video

Awesome video! I have been planning my bioactive enclosure and think I’ll go with a 48x24x36 with a 12” lip for substrate. I can use the bottom for a more lush type of environment and make it more rocky and arid up towards the top closer to the heat and see where she likes to spend her time. What do you think about a miniature fountain feature that will serve as the water source as well as adding some humidity to the enclosure and splashing a little water into the substrate for the isopods?

I absolutely love this it’s very thought provoking and has change her my outlook on keeping my own animals drastically. I have always aimed for making my habitats to replicate semi arid forest with humid and well vegetated pockets. So I’m happy my research by searching for habitat information from their wild range was successful. I would also love to see a breakdown on specific eublepharis macularis (common leopard gecko) subspecies! As while these are all technically the same species I think it’s interesting to break down the habitat use and potential preferences of E. macularis macularis E. Macularis afghanicus E. macularis fasciolatus E. Macularis montanus E. Macularis Smithi And then we have the wide range of other species with that are in desperate need of reviving attention as well with. E. Turcmenicus E. Angramainyu E. Fuscus E. Hardwickii E. Satpuraensis

Small nitpick at 0:40 there are many species that are only native to 1 environment like a type of cave fish that exists in 1 cave in Kentucky with less then 100 living members

Great video Ricky. I'll be trying to put some this information to my staff and customers. Not always easy when people are so fixed on feeding their animals so much. What would you say is an acceptable night temp for these guys. Should the temp just be allowed to fall to what ever the room temperature is. Or would this be too much for leopard geckos raised in captivity if they have ot experienced this.?

This video relaxed my anxiety a huge amount as I live in a humid area, but it is winter 8/12 months so it will drop once the heat leaves. I have a 40 gallon for my Leo that has a nice heat range and medium humidity range :) I really wish this was more talked about because when I tried doing research on humid climates for leopard geckos I found nothing !! (My humidity peaks at 65%)

Hi just watching the video again. Just a question. I have a microclimate stat. At the moment I have it night and day. 32 degrees day and 24 degrees night. What would you recommend for the multi channel with time and temperatures to make it more natural Regards Dave..

I watched David attenborohs video on them in the desert. That's why I assumed dessert lol

just curious why you wouldn't recommend feeding lizards to your leopard geckos?

I researched for almost a year before I got my Leo, Ember is a tangerine leo.. This kind of info was nowhere to be found.. I do try to give my critters the best life.. from my Beta to my Leo.. my guy absolutely lives in his humid hide but he does use his entire enclosure. Would love for this kind of info to be expanded on.. thank you. How ever he NEVER comes out to bask or soak up the UVB so whats the perk of letting it on..

Those were not Eublepharis Macualris in Nepal. Those were thought to be Eublepharis Angramainyu but were re discovered and are Eublepharis satpuraensis. Eublepharis Macualris live in rocky grass mountain environments.

Im writing down new things for my leopard geckos terrarium, what do you think would be a need to keep them more happy??

So on the topic of sand, is not general husbandry the most important part then, and some sand is probably ok in an enclosure?

I thought it wasn’t sandy, but very rocky and dry with little to no water.

I have a question though is it harmful or hard on the gecko in a dry un humid habitat?

Always give your reptiles a water dish! They will use it!

I have know idea what my super snow leopard gecko habitat should be 😬

I think this video brings alot of light to the subject and is very educational. To say what is the best terrain would have to be determined by the relative health in the different regions. If they can thrive in many terrain, then there must be one which has more benefits than others. I agree that leopard geckos are highly adaptable to the environment around them and that offering an array of options for your gecko is key for building a great enclosure for them

Et viola!! 👊 You have hit a lot of valid points in this video, which will eradicate the misconceptions of Leopard Gecko habitat in the wild that influences captive setups. Thank you for creating such a great video!! :) :)

i really need your help badly please respond so i have a leopard gecko my cousin got him from Petco i got to take him in 2020 and he's been fine he was eating and had a basking light and sand i changed the sand to carpet and other stuff and watched your videos but while I was gone he fell in love with wax worms and won't eat anything other than that we moved a couple of times and got a cat she jumps on his tank alot but she's in my room and his tank to I don't know what to do i think i caused stress he won't eat because I got kinda lazy but I'm working on that my mom said he's gonna die if i don't feed him so i tried he won't eat and he looked at the cricket like he wants to eat it then walks away my lamp recently broke that could be the reason and I'm getting that fixed we saw Petco people awhile back and they said does he needs sand but from watching your videos you said sand is bad for leopard geckos tomorrow where gonna try reptiboost and he's gonna get seen buy a vet to be tested with parasites i just really need your help please like even a simple reply please help!

so can i build him a tropical paludarium?

😱 😱 😱 😱

It does make sense considering how much they use humid hides and shed quite a lot they need humidity for that

This video just singlehandedly saved my dissertation

are you sure i could give a leopard gecko like a rainforest habitat? every other youtuber says otherwise. (perhapse it is possible though he barely moves could be the tempature is literally 90 LMAO)

🦎 🦎 🦎 🦎

i might keep my leopard gecko like a veiled chameleon, dry periods during the day, wet periods during the night.

Lol, Perhaps I'm being high-maintenance with this concept; it likely would be too much to ask, for everyone involved in this hobby (zoos, pet owners, researchers, bloggers, breeders, and the like) to do more than state the mere country that an animal is endemic to - it's important, for the animals' sake, to know what state they're endemic to, the region, areas, etc. I would be wondering if leopard geckos are truly arid, like in the Thar Desert? Gujarat? Rajasthan? Or Karnataka? Or are they somewhere subtropical, sort of middle-range tropical climate. Delhi or Maharashtra even. Vastly different biomes! Especially the Indian subcontinent as a whole...if they're native to Afghanistan; we'll... I'm pretty sure it snows there in winter. Do they Brumate with the onset of winter? I always say India has the world in one country. It's an incredible species diversity and many different biomes. And that's not even counting the human variations in language and cultures. It's a truly melting pot of the world! Makes sense, it's like the midway between "east" and "west," bridging the Arab world to the south Asian world.. Plus the Indian Ocean & Malagasy influence; Sri Lanka, Nicobar, Maldives, etc. Which isn't too far from Aldabra, and other unique islands w herps.

Ive always kept my gecko in effectively a tropical forest 😊

• π • π

So theyve prefer the conditions of a japanese cave gecko but just SLIGHTLY less humod. Average ground/mole humidity.

So basicley, you're saying they should be cared for much like an African fat tail gecko?

Alot of people don't know this, but the best tasting geckos don't come from the desert. Depending on how you plan to cook it.