The gecko is a kind of lizard belonging to the Gekko family. There are many different species, such as leopard-print gecko, ocelot gecko, eyelash-horned gecko, tumor-tailed gecko, leaf-tailed gecko, fat-tailed gecko, etc. . Among them, leopard geckos, fat-tailed geckos and lash-horned geckos are more suitable for novices to raise because they are legal to raise, reasonably priced and have a gentle temperament.

According to appearance characteristics and genetic characteristics, Geckos can be divided into the following categories:

Common type: This is the most primitive wild leopard gecko. Its body color is grayish brown or light yellow, with black spots or stripes on its body. sex genes.

Orange type: This is a strain bred from the ordinary type through artificial selection. The body color shows varying degrees of orange and the dominant gene.

Albino type: This is a strain produced by mutation of the ordinary type. The body color is white or light yellow, the eyes are red or pink, and the gene is recessive.

Giant type: This is a strain bred from the ordinary type through artificial selection. It is much larger than the ordinary type and can reach more than 20 cm. It has a dominant gene.

Pattern type: This is a strain produced by mutation of the ordinary type. It has irregular patterns or patches on the body and a recessive gene.

Striped type: This is a strain produced by mutation of the ordinary type, with obvious stripes or bands on the body and a recessive gene.

Snowflake type: This is a strain produced by mutation of the ordinary type. It has white or light yellow dots and a recessive gene.

Tubular tail type: This is an independent species group, different from the leopard gecko. There are two categories: leptoderm and echinoderm. There are five species of leptoderm and four species of echinoderm. .

If you are raising a gecko for the first time, then I recommend you to choose the following varieties:

Leopard gecko: This is the most common and easiest variety to raise. The body size is medium, up to about 15 cm, and the body color is diverse, including ordinary, orange, albino, giant, patterned, striped, snowflake and other varieties. Leopard geckos have a gentle temperament and are not easily frightened or attacked. Leopard geckos are legal to breed and have low prices in the domestic market.

Fat-tailed gecko: This is an independent species. It is a different genus from the leopard gecko. It is larger and can reach more than 30 cm. Its body color is gray-brown or light brown, with black patches on its body. Stripes or patches, the tail is fat and has obvious ring patterns. Fat-tailed geckos are more sensitive and shy in temperament, have difficulty adapting to new environments, and have higher requirements for feeding conditions. Fat-tailed geckos are legal to breed and command higher prices in the domestic market.

This is an independent species, different from the leopard gecko. It is medium in size, up to about 15 cm, with a light yellow or white body color and obvious protrusions above the eyes. or horn 1 . The ciliary gecko has a gentle and friendly temperament, is easy to domesticate, and has low requirements for feeding conditions. It is legal to raise ciliary geckos and the price is moderate in the domestic market.

If you want to raise a gecko, you need to pay attention to the following aspects: Breeding environment: Keep the breeding box clean, ventilated and with moderate temperature and humidity, and avoid being too humid or dry. The breeding box should have hot and cold zones for the geckos to choose freely, and the temperature should be controlled between 25-30°C. The breeding box should have enough space and hiding places to ensure the comfort and safety of the geckos.

Feeding food: Provide fresh, clean, nutritious live food, such as crickets, earthworms, locusts, etc. Calcium powder and vitamins should be fed regularly to the food to increase its nutritional value. The amount and frequency of feeding should be controlled to avoid too much or too little. Feeding Note: The physical and mental status of the geckos should be observed regularly, and abnormalities should be detected and dealt with in a timely manner. Avoid overly frightening or capturing the gecko, as this may cause stress or tail docking. Proper close contact and play time should be given to enhance the relationship with the owner. Depending on the characteristics and needs of different breeds, you can build different styles of breeding environments. The following are some common methods of setting up an environment: Simple type: This is the most basic and easiest method to implement. You only need to prepare a breeding box of appropriate size and lay a layer of clean matting material, such as paper towels, sawdust or sterilized soil, etc. , put in a water basin, a shelter and a heating pad or heating lamp to complete the breeding environment. This method is suitable for novices or breeders who don’t pay much attention to appearance, and is also suitable for temporary or isolated breeding.

Natural type: This is a method to imitate the native environment of the gecko. You need to prepare a larger breeding box, cover it with a thick layer of coconut brick soil or other soil with good moisture retention, and put it in Add some natural decorations, such as branches, bark, stones, plants, etc., to create a forest or desert atmosphere. This method is suitable for breeders with certain experience and aesthetic requirements, and is also suitable for situations where there is a higher demand for geckos.

Creative type: This is a method of building a breeding environment based on personal preferences and imagination. There are no fixed rules and restrictions. As long as the basic needs and safety of the gecko are ensured, the breeding box can be arranged as you like. Various materials and props can be used to decorate the breeding box, such as toys, models, albums, posters, etc., to create a unique style and theme. This method is suitable for breeders with creativity and personality, and is also suitable for those who have deeper feelings for the gecko. Although geckos are relatively strong and tolerant animals, they may also encounter some health problems during breeding. The following are some common health problems and how to treat them: Tail docking: This is the most common and special phenomenon of geckos. When a gecko is frightened or attacked, it will automatically cut off its tail to distract the enemy and take the opportunity to escape. The wound after tail docking will heal on its own and does not require special treatment. The docked tail will regenerate, but the regenerated tail will be thicker and shorter than the original tail and have an obvious knot-like structure. Tail docking will not have much impact on the geckos, but in order to avoid unnecessary losses and pressure, the behavior of frightening or capturing the geckos should be minimized. Molting: This is a necessary process for the normal growth and metabolism of the gecko. When the body color of the gecko becomes gray and the skin becomes loose, it means that the gecko is about to molt. When molting, the geckos will bite off the old skin with their mouths and swallow it to replenish nutrients and moisture. After molting, the geckos will look more colorful and smooth. Molting is a natural and harmless phenomenon for geckos, requiring no human intervention. Just ensure that the humidity of the breeding environment is moderate so that the geckos can shed their old skin smoothly. If you find that the remaining old skin of the gecko has not fallen off, you can soak it in warm water or gently wipe it with a wet cotton swab to help clean it up. Indigestion: This is a problem caused by poor feeding conditions or inappropriate feed. It manifests as loss of appetite, weight loss, loose stools or no stool, etc. The reasons for indigestion may be as follows: the temperature is too low or too high, which affects the metabolism and digestive function of the gecko; the food is too large or too hard, causing blockage or damage to the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract; the food is expired or contaminated, Caused bacterial or parasitic infections, etc. There are several ways to deal with indigestion: adjust the temperature and keep it within the appropriate range; adjust the food and choose food of suitable size and softness; clean the food and avoid using expired or contaminated food; give medicine and use it according to the cause of the disease. Antibiotics or anthelmintics, etc. Respiratory tract infection: This is a problem caused by the breeding environment being too humid or the temperature being too low. It manifests as sneezing, runny nose, difficulty breathing, mouth breathing, etc. The causes of respiratory infections may be as follows: too high humidity, leading to the growth of bacteria or fungi; too low temperature, leading to reduced immunity and invasion of pathogens; poor air circulation, leading to the accumulation of toxic gases or dust, etc. The treatment methods for respiratory tract infections include the following: adjust the humidity to keep it at a moderate level; adjust the temperature to keep it within a suitable range; improve ventilation and keep the air fresh; give drugs, use antibiotics or antifungals according to the cause, etc. When novices raise geckos, they may encounter the following common problems:

How to distinguish male from female: This is a question that many novices are concerned about, because there are some differences in personality and needs between male and female. It will also affect the way they are raised and reproduced.

There are several ways to distinguish male and female geckos:

Observe the V groove, which is a V-shaped structure composed of femoral holes above the anus and below the abdomen of the gecko. Generally speaking, It is said that the V groove of male geckos will be more obvious than that of female geckos, and there will be flagella, which are waxy substances secreted from the femoral pores.

Observe the tail. This is the easiest way to distinguish adult geckos. Male geckos will have obvious bulges at the cloaca at the base of the tail, which are testicles, while female geckos will not.

Observe the head. This is an inaccurate method but has certain reference value. Generally speaking, the head of a male gecko will be larger and more square than that of a female gecko. The head of the palace will be smaller and rounder.

How to domesticate: This is a goal that many novices want to achieve, because the domesticated geckos will be closer to and trust their owners, and will also More receptive to being touched and played with.

Taming the gecko requires the following steps: first let the gecko adapt to the new environment, give the gecko enough time and space to become familiar with the breeding box and the surrounding smells and sounds, and avoid excessive disturbance or fright. Then let the gecko get used to the owner's smell and voice. You can talk or sing softly while feeding, so that the gecko can hear the owner's voice, and put your hand in the feeding box to let the gecko smell the owner's scent. Then let the gecko adapt to the owner's touch and pick-up. You can gently touch or stroke the gecko's body with your fingers during feeding, so that the gecko can feel the owner's temperature and texture, and gradually put your palms on the gecko. Pick it up and place it on your chest or legs to let it feel the owner's breathing and heartbeat. Finally, let the gecko adapt to the owner's play and interaction. You can let the gecko move freely in a safe environment, use some toys or food to attract its attention and interest, and give appropriate rewards and praise. Through these steps, you can gradually build trust and friendship with the gecko.

How to breed: This is a challenge that many novices want to try, because the bred geckos will increase the fun and sense of accomplishment of raising them.

Breeding geckos requires the following conditions: First, there must be a sexually mature and healthy male and female pairing. Generally speaking, the male and female must reach a certain weight and age before they can reproduce. The specific values ​​are based on Varies from species to species. Secondly, there must be a suitable breeding season and environment. Generally speaking, spring is the best breeding season. At this time, both males and females are in estrus, making it easier to mate successfully.

In addition, some adjustments must be made to the breeding environment, such as lowering the temperature and humidity to simulate the hibernation period to promote female ovulation. Then there must be a suitable spawning place and incubation equipment. Generally speaking, a hidden, moist, soft spawning box or soil pit must be provided in the breeding box for the female to lay eggs. After laying eggs, the eggs should be taken out in time and placed in an incubation box. The incubation box should have a good moisturizing, non-toxic and odorless incubation medium, such as vermiculite, perlite, etc., and maintain a certain temperature and humidity. Finally, there must be a suitable place and method for raising larvae. Generally speaking, the newly hatched larvae should be placed in separate small breeding boxes, given appropriate amounts of food and water, and their growth should be observed regularly.

How to prevent fighting: This is a problem that many novices will encounter, because geckos are very territorial animals. If separation or isolation is not paid attention to, fighting or bullying may occur.

Preventing geckos from fighting requires the following measures: First, group or raise them separately according to gender and species. Generally speaking, geckos of the same gender and species are prone to fights or competition. Geckos of different genders are prone to mating or hybridization. Secondly, space and resources must be allocated according to individual size and personality. Generally speaking, geckos with larger bodies or stronger personalities will occupy larger spaces and better resources, and crowd out or attack other geckos. Finally, timely intervention or isolation is required according to the situation. If a gecko is found to be injured or oppressed, it must be immediately separated from other geckos and given treatment or comfort. Other varieties of geckos: In addition to fat-tailed geckos and lash-horned geckos, there are many other varieties of geckos, each with its own unique characteristics and charm.

The following are some common gecko species:

Leopard gecko: This is the most common and popular gecko species, with a medium size, up to about 20 cm. The body color is yellow or white, with black spots or stripes on its body, resembling leopard print, hence its name. Leopard geckos have a gentle and lively temperament, are easy to domesticate, and have low requirements for feeding conditions, making them suitable for novices to raise.

Turn-tailed gecko: This is a relatively rare species of gecko. It is small in size and can reach about 10 cm. Its body color is dark brown or black, with white or yellow spots or stripes on its body. , the tail is short and has an obvious nodular structure.

Short-tailed geckos have a timid and sensitive temperament and are not easy to adapt to new environments. They have high requirements for feeding conditions and are suitable for experienced breeders.

How to choose a suitable gecko breed: If you want to raise a gecko, you need to choose a suitable gecko breed based on your own preferences and conditions.

The following are some reference factors for selection:

Appearance: This is the main basis for many people to choose geckos. Different gecko species have different body shapes, body colors and textures. Each has its own unique beauty and charm. You can choose the appearance you like according to your own aesthetic standards and preferences, such as leopard print, spots, stripes, horns, etc.

Personality: This is an important factor that many people overlook. Different gecko species have different personalities and habits, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose the character you can get along with according to your own personality and expectations, such as gentle, lively, timid, sensitive, etc.

Conditions: This is a practical factor that many people tend to overlook. Different gecko species have different feeding conditions and needs, and each has its own difficulties and risks. You can choose the conditions you can afford based on your own conditions and abilities, such as space, temperature and humidity, food, medical care, etc.

Based on the above three factors, you can find a gecko breed that suits you and enjoy the fun and happiness that goes with it.

Geckos are very interesting and cute animals. Raising geckos can bring a lot of fun and gains to people. If you want to raise a gecko, you need to understand the basic knowledge and breeding techniques to ensure the health and happiness of the gecko. At the same time, you can also enhance the relationship and trust between you through interaction and communication with the gecko. I hope this article can help you and make you a qualified and happy gecko owner.