Leopard Gecko
Eublepharis macularius
-Native to rocky deserts and semi-arid grasslands of western India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
-7-9 inches long
-These reptiles eat mostly insects, but will also eat spiders, snails, small lizards, and fruit
-These geckos store fat in their tails and use this energy reserve during times when food is scarce or during aestivation (dormancy in very hot and dry conditions-similar to hibernation)
-These lizards can autotomize (or detach/shed) their tails to escape predators. If a predator has grabbed their tail, a muscular spasm separates the tail at a specialized fracture point found in some of the tail vertebrae, while their blood vessels are clamped to prevent bleeding. The lost tail will still twitch with nerve impulses (to hold predator's attention as the lizard escapes) and a new tail will regrow in a few weeks
-Mating Season: during the rainy season
-Females can store sperm in their reproductive tracts for a year or more
-Offspring: They can lay up to 5 clutches of eggs (1-2 eggs in each) during the five month breeding season, and use the stored sperm to fertilize the clutches
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have two leopard geckos which are one male and one female. Can you find them all under their rocks? Notice that their tails are quite a bit wider than their bodies (this is because they store fat in their tails).They are spoiled and hand fed super worms and other insects.
Eublepharis macularius
-Native to rocky deserts and semi-arid grasslands of western India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan
-7-9 inches long
-These reptiles eat mostly insects, but will also eat spiders, snails, small lizards, and fruit
-These geckos store fat in their tails and use this energy reserve during times when food is scarce or during aestivation (dormancy in very hot and dry conditions-similar to hibernation)
-These lizards can autotomize (or detach/shed) their tails to escape predators. If a predator has grabbed their tail, a muscular spasm separates the tail at a specialized fracture point found in some of the tail vertebrae, while their blood vessels are clamped to prevent bleeding. The lost tail will still twitch with nerve impulses (to hold predator's attention as the lizard escapes) and a new tail will regrow in a few weeks
-Mating Season: during the rainy season
-Females can store sperm in their reproductive tracts for a year or more
-Offspring: They can lay up to 5 clutches of eggs (1-2 eggs in each) during the five month breeding season, and use the stored sperm to fertilize the clutches
HERE AT ALAMEDA:
We have two leopard geckos which are one male and one female. Can you find them all under their rocks? Notice that their tails are quite a bit wider than their bodies (this is because they store fat in their tails).They are spoiled and hand fed super worms and other insects.