How to breed a leopard gecko?

Age and Health: Ensure that both the male and female geckos are mature and in good health. Leopard geckos are usually ready to breed when they reach a weight of around 45-50 grams and are around 10-12 months old.

Housing: Provide separate enclosures for the male and female geckos. Each enclosure should be adequately sized, with appropriate heating, lighting, and hiding spots. Maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity levels to create a suitable breeding environment.

Introduce the Pair: When both geckos are healthy and mature, introduce them to each other's enclosure for breeding. Observe their behavior closely. If the male shows excessive aggression towards the female, it may be necessary to separate them.

Courtship: The male will typically perform a courtship ritual to attract the female. This includes head bobbing, tail waving, and circling around the female. If the female is receptive, she will respond positively, allowing the male to mate with her.

Mating: Once the female is receptive, the male will approach her from behind and bite the back of her neck to hold her in place. This is known as the "mating bite." Mating can last for several minutes, during which the male transfers sperm to the female.

Egg Laying: After successful mating, the female will develop and lay eggs within 2-4 weeks. Provide a suitable egg-laying container filled with moist vermiculite or a similar substrate. The female will dig a hole and deposit her eggs. Ensure the eggs are carefully removed and placed in an incubator.

Incubation: Transfer the eggs to an incubator set at an appropriate temperature (around 82-88°F or 28-31°C) and humidity level. Monitor the eggs regularly and ensure they are not disturbed. The incubation period usually ranges from 45 to 60 days.

Hatching: Once the incubation period is complete, the eggs will start to hatch. The baby geckos, known as hatchlings, will emerge from the eggs. Allow them to remain in the incubator until they have absorbed their yolk sac completely and are active.

Care for Hatchlings: After hatching, move the hatchlings to separate enclosures, providing suitable heating, hiding spots, and a small dish of water. Feed them appropriately sized live insects, such as pinhead crickets or small fruit flies, dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements.