🦎 Introduction
Getting your first gecko is exciting—but it’s also easy to make mistakes that can affect your pet’s health and happiness. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll cover the 7 most common care errors and how to avoid them, so you can give your gecko the best possible start.
1. ❌ Incorrect Enclosure Size
Many beginners start with an enclosure that’s too small, especially for adult geckos. This limits movement and natural behavior.
Example:
- Crested Gecko: minimum 20-gallon vertical tank
- Leopard Gecko: 20-gallon long horizontal tank
👉 Fix: Research the minimum space needs for your gecko species before purchase.
2. ❌ Using the Wrong Substrate
Some substrates can cause impaction (intestinal blockage) if ingested.
Dangerous substrates:
- Sand (especially calcium sand)
- Wood chips
- Gravel
✅ Safe options: Paper towels, reptile carpet, bioactive soil (for advanced keepers)
3. ❌ Poor Temperature and Humidity Control
Geckos need specific temperature and humidity ranges to thrive. A single heat lamp isn’t enough if it causes overheating or dry air.
👉 Fix:
- Use a thermostat-controlled heat mat for leopard geckos
- Use a digital hygrometer and misting for crested geckos
4. ❌ Handling Too Soon or Too Often
New owners often want to hold their gecko right away, but this causes stress.
👉 Fix:
Let your gecko settle for 7–14 days before attempting handling. Start slow and gentle.
5. ❌ Inadequate Diet and Supplements
Feeding only insects or fruit leads to nutritional imbalances. Missing calcium and D3 is a major cause of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD).
👉 Fix:
Use a high-quality powdered diet (e.g., Pangea, Repashy) and dust insects with calcium + D3 weekly.
6. ❌ Not Observing Behavior
Many health issues go unnoticed because owners don’t know what “normal” behavior looks like.
👉 Fix:
Watch your gecko daily—learn what’s normal for feeding, movement, hiding, and interaction.
7. ❌ Ignoring Shedding Issues
Stuck shed can lead to infections, especially on toes, eyes, and tail tips.
👉 Fix:
Provide a humid hide, and offer gentle soaks or moist paper towel “sauna” when needed.
✅ Quick Beginner Gecko Care Checklist
- 🏠 Proper-sized enclosure
- 🌡️ Accurate temperature & humidity
- 🥣 Balanced diet + supplements
- 🧼 Clean, safe substrate
- 🖐️ Limited handling at first
- 👀 Daily observation
- 🧂 Calcium + D3 support
🐾 Conclusion
Every gecko owner starts somewhere—and making mistakes is part of learning. The key is to stay informed, observe your pet, and adjust your care routine when needed. Avoid these 7 beginner errors, and you’re well on your way to being a responsible and successful reptile keeper.