Leopard geckos make great pets for beginner and experienced reptile owners alike. They are relatively easy to care for, have calm temperaments, and come in a variety of beautiful morphs. Many new leopard gecko owners wonder if it is better to start with one gecko or two. There are pros and cons to both options that need careful consideration. In this article, we will explore the factors that go into deciding between getting one or two leopard geckos.
Benefits of owning a single leopard gecko
Getting only one leopard gecko, especially for first-time reptile owners, has some advantages. Here are some of the benefits of having just one leopard gecko:
– Lower costs: Buying one gecko, along with a suitable tank setup and accessories is less expensive than having to purchase double of everything. Feeding, heating, and cleaning costs will also be lower for one gecko versus two.
– Easier to handle and tame: With only one gecko, you can focus all your handling efforts on that individual. This can lead to a very tame and sociable gecko.
– Simpler tank maintenance: Only cleaning one gecko’s tank and accessories is quicker and easier than taking care of a larger setup for two geckos.
– More space for a larger tank: A single gecko can be comfortably housed in a 20 gallon tank. This provides ample space for hides, climbing areas, and heat gradients.
– Lower risk of health issues: Having one gecko eliminates the possibility of them injuring or spreading parasites to each other.
Disadvantages of a single leopard gecko
While there are some good reasons to get only one leopard gecko, there are also a few potential disadvantages:
– May get lonely: Leopard geckos are somewhat social creatures that often enjoy having a tank mate. A lone gecko may get bored and inactive.
– Less interesting to observe: Watching a single gecko can get repetitive. Having two provides more behavioral enrichment.
– No breeding opportunities: If interested in breeding geckos in the future, you’ll need a male and female pair.
– Less rewarding: Some owners find caring for and handling two geckos to be more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Benefits of housing two leopard geckos
Here are some of the advantages of getting two leopard geckos:
– Company and enrichment: Leopard geckos seem to enjoy having a tank companion to interact with. It provides mental stimulation.
– Fun to watch them interact: Co-housing geckos allows you to observe their interesting and natural social behaviors.
– Option to breed: A male and female pair gives you the opportunity to try breeding geckos.
– Separation possible if needed: If they fight or bully each other, you can always house them individually.
– May be more active and eat better: Some pairs of geckos stimulate each other’s appetite and activity levels.
– Cute photo opportunities: Two (or more) geckos allow for adorable pics of them cuddling or playing together.
Potential downsides of getting two leopard geckos
However, there are also some disadvantages of housing leopard geckos together:
– Higher costs: You need two of everything – two tanks, two heating systems, twice the food, etc. This can get expensive.
– Risk of aggression and bullying: Not all leopard geckos get along. Nipping, tail biting, and domination can happen.
– Possibility of accidental breeding: A male and female pair may breed unexpectedly before you are prepared for hatchlings.
– Increased tank maintenance: A larger tank for two geckos equals more frequent cleaning and feces removal.
– Potential to spread parasites and illness: Close contact makes it easier for geckos to pass on certain health problems.
– Harder to tame and handle: With two geckos, you have less handling time per individual for taming.
Key factors in deciding between one or two leopard geckos
When trying to choose between getting one leopard gecko or two, there are several important factors to keep in mind:
Space and tank size
A 20 gallon tank is enough for one gecko. For a pair, a 40 gallon breeder tank is recommended to provide ample space. Evaluate if you have room for a larger tank.
Costs and ability to purchase supplies
The costs of housing, feeding, and caring for two geckos versus one is substantially more. Make sure your budget allows for owning multiples.
Time for handling and taming
Two geckos will have to share your handling time. This results in less taming for each individual.
Interest in breeding geckos
If you think you may want to breed leopard geckos in the future, starting with a male/female pair is the way to go.
Prior reptile experience level
First-time owners may want to start with a single gecko to keep things simple. More experienced keepers can easily handle two.
Proper setup for housing multiple leopard geckos
If you decide to get two leopard geckos, it’s important to properly setup their shared tank habitat. Here are some tips:
– Use a 40+ gallon breeder tank to allow enough floor space
– Provide multiple hides on both warm and cool ends so geckos can have their own spaces
– Include climbed like branches and reptile hammocks for added area to explore
– Use a heat mat on one end to create a temperature gradient from warm to cool
– Have a humid hide box with moist moss for shedding
– Add plenty of foliage, logs, rocks, and other decor for visual barriers
– Keep them well-fed with calcium-dusted insects and fresh water to prevent competition
– Monitor closely for signs of aggression or stress and separate if needed
– Thoroughly clean tank at least once a week to prevent transmission of parasites
– Avoid housing more than one male together due to high risk of fighting
Conclusion
Both keeping a single leopard gecko or a pair have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages that require careful thought. For many owners, the enrichment of having two geckos to observe and interact is an enjoyable experience that is worth the additional effort and costs. But others may find that focusing on a lone gecko better suits their needs as reptile owners.
If housing two geckos together, be prepared to provide adequate space as well as watch closely for any signs of conflict. Overall, either option can work very well as long as owners are committed to providing everything required for a gecko’s health and happiness. Whichever way you decide to go, leopard geckos make fantastic pets!
| Number of Leopard Geckos | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| One | Lower costs, easier care and taming, simpler tank needs | May get lonely, less enriching to observe |
| Two | Social enrichment, fun interactions, allows breeding | Higher costs, risk of fighting, more cleaning |
