Liz Palika - Leopard Geckos For Dummies

by Liz Palika

Leopard Geckos For Dummies

Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Copyright 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Copyright 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: available from publisher

ISBN: 978-0-470-12160-3

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

1B/RV/QT/QX/IN

Publishers Acknowledgements

Project Editor: Jennifer Connolly

Acquisitions Editor: Stacy Kennedy

Technical Editor: Tom Mazorlig

Composition Services: Indianapolis Composition Services Department

Cover Photo: DLILLC/Corbis

Cartoon: Rich Tennant, www.the5thwave.com

About the Author

Liz Palika has written 45 books in the pets field; including Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies. She has written several books on reptiles, including iguanas, bearded dragons, turtles, and tortoises. Several of her books have won awards from Dog Writers Association of America, Cat Writers, Purina, ASPCA, and the San Diego Book Writers. She has about 1000 magazine credits, including Newsweek, The Saturday Evening Post, and all of the major pet publications, including Reptiles magazine. Liz and her husband, Paul, share their home with a breeding colony of leopard geckos, as well as a variety of other reptiles and amphibians, plus 3 dogs and 3 cats.

Chapter 1

Leaping into Leopard Geckos

In This Chapter

Looking at geckos worldwide

Focusing on leopard geckos

Examining their anatomy

L eopard Geckos For Dummies

First Things First: Using This Book

Leopard Geckos For Dummies is a reference, so you dont have to read it in order from start to finish. Begin with Chapter 4 if you need basic set-up information, flip to Chapter 6 if youre trying to understand leopard gecko behavior, or head to Chapter 2 if youre still on the fence about adding a leopard gecko to your family. (Although those of you who prefer to start at the beginning and read until you reach the back cover are welcome to do so. Ill never tell.)

As you read, keep an eye out for text in italics, which indicates a new term and a nearby definition no need to spend time hunting through a glossary. Youll also run into a few sidebars (the occasional gray box); although the information in the sidebars is good, its not essential to the discussion at hand, so skip em if you want to.

While reading Leopard Geckos For Dummies , be on the lookout for these icons sprinkled here and there:

These are great time or money-saving ideas.

This is basic information for caring for your leopard gecko.

This is important stuff that can affect your leopard geckos health or well-being.

Here is some advanced information that may interest you.

This small book is crammed full of information on leopard geckos, from how to decide whether this is the right pet for you, to choosing the right leopard gecko, caring for him, and even how to breed that pet in the future. This book can be your reference for many years to come. Just keep reading.

Taking a Look at Gecko Ecology

Geckos are lizards. They have four legs and are primarily (but not entirely) insectivores (they eat insects). However, those are about all the generalizations that can be made. Some geckos are ground dwellers while others live in trees. A few species of geckos live in arid deserts while others prefer more humid tropical environments. Most eat insects, but some also eat fruits and nectars. Many geckos are known for having sticky feet and the ability to walk straight up glass, but not all have this ability. Some geckos have immoveable eyelids while others do not. Geckos are amazing lizards, and its this variety that makes them so fascinating.