I was given a gecko by a friend of mine from work several years ago. She is a leopard gecko and is named "Gracie".
Gracie is the first and only reptile I have ever owned. She lives in a terrarium and dines on live crickets. Leopard geckos are native to Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. In captivity they can grow to a length of 8 inches, although specimens in the wild have been known to grow 12 inches or more. A lifespan of twenty years is not uncommon for them. They store fat and moisture in their thick stubby tails. Gracie prefers temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the winter months, her activity level and appetite decreases. Every so often geckos shed their skin. They turn a pale grey color and will begin the shed process by rubbing against a rock or tree stump. Then they will slowly and methodically peel off their old skin and eat it. After about a day their skin is back to normal. Gracie is not crazy about being handled. She will tolerate it and has never bitten me or shown any aggression. She's amusing to watch as she walks around, doing a slow little waddle as she calmly strolls about. |