How to Breed Leopard Geckos Co-authored by Clint Bartley
Last Updated: January 27, 2026 Approved
Preparing to Breed
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Breeding
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Taking Care of the Eggs
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Taking Care of the Babies
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Video
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Expert Interview
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Expert Q&A
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Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Clint Bartley. Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 154,702 times.
Leopard geckos can easy to breed for some, but difficult for others. In this article, you will see the simplest way to breed leopard geckos. The simplest way, is the best here.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 4:
Preparing to Breed
1 Get a male and female leopard gecko. The males have hemipenal bulges below the vent whereas females do not. Males and females both have a V-shaped row of scales above the vent but only the male's scales here are hollow and produce wax. This wax is for scent marking their territory.
It's best to check yourself to ensure you have a male and female, rather than trust people at a large pet store. Smaller specialists or Reptile show people typically will know their stuff.
Never house two males together or they will fight to the death.
2 Get a large cage for the male and female to live in together. Geckos can be kept together without the need to separate them unless you see major aggression.[1]X Expert Source Clint BartleyHerpetology ExpertExpert Interview It is sometimes normal when first introducing a male and female for there to be a little squabbling but this usually stops within the first week.
For a pair you will need at least a 20 gallon (75.7 L) long tank.
You may also choose to house one male with 4-5 females, add 10 gallons (37.9 L) of space for each additional gecko.
3 Get the incubator ready for the eggs and provide a lay box. You can use a plastic sandwich container with a lid for this purpose. Cut an entry hole on one side and fill it with damp moss (This can be used as the moist hide too).[2]XResearch source
4 Ensure you have customers who will buy your babies when they are ready.
Part 2 Part 2 of 4:
Breeding
1 Introduce the female to the male. You can introduce them into the same cage right away, usually.(If you have a female that isn't healthy, do NOT try to breed her. She could die.)[3]XResearch source
Females should be at least one year old and have a healthy weight. Provide a shallow dish full of calcium plus vitamin D3 powder that the female can lick up as needed. Females use their calcium reserves to make eggs and if those reserves should deplete she will end up dying from metabolic bone disease.
You must also take care to feed her generously with calcium dusted insects and make sure she always has access to water. Producing eggs takes a lot out of a female.
2 Let nature take its course. Breeding should occur within a week.[4]XResearch source
If you see major drama/fighting, separate the pair. You'll want to confirm they are not both males. If one male and one female, you can reintroduce them again later.
3 Ready the laying box to put in the cage. Females dig to lay their eggs, so you will provide a place for them to dig.
Part 3 Part 3 of 4:
Taking Care of the Eggs
1 In about 4 to 5 weeks, the female will lay her eggs. Normally, you will see her digging in the laying box and laying the eggs in pairs. It will be easy to tell she has laid the eggs, particularly since she will be much thinner.[5]XResearch source
2 Place the eggs in the incubation medium. Remove them from the laying box and be careful not to rotate or jiggle the eggs. After 24 hours of being laid, the embryo inside attaches itself to the side wall of the egg. Rotating or jiggling this egg could cause the embryo to come loose and drown inside, killing it.[6]XResearch source
Take a deli cup filled two inches high with incubation medium and make a dent in the medium with a finger right where you are going to put an egg.
Carefully place the egg in this indentation and mark the top with a sharpie or pencil with a dot so you know what is right side up. In the event the egg gets moved, you will be able to place it right side up and hope for the best that it didn't drown.
If you want girls, set the incubation temperature 80 to 85 degrees, if you want males, set the temperature 90 to 95 degrees, and if you want a mix, set the temperature in the middle![7]X Expert Source Clint BartleyHerpetology ExpertExpert Interview
3 Observe the developing embryos. After a few weeks, you will be able to "candle" the eggs using a small flashlight. You don't have to touch the eggs, just take them into a dark room and shine the light as close to the shell as you can. You should see pink inside with red blood vessels. The further along the eggs are, the more you will also see the baby inside as a dark mass.
4 After around 60 days, give or take depending on the incubation temperature, the eggs should hatch.[8]XResearch source
Part 4 Part 4 of 4:
Taking Care of the Babies
1 Set up the cages for the babies. Before they hatch, set up each individual with it's own small cage. You can also use a 10 gallon (37.9 L) tank with plastic dividers so each baby is housed by itself. Each cage should have a small water bowl as well.[9]XResearch source
2 Have tiny crickets readily available. Babies will start eating insects within a day or two of being hatched.[10]XResearch source
3 Most importantly and before you breed your leopard geckos, make sure you have homes for all the babies. A single female can lay 12 to 20 pairs of eggs a year, that's 24 to 40 babies![11]XResearch source
Expert Q&A
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Question How do I set up a gecko cage? Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles. Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert Expert Answer Set up a gecko cage with foliage and other essentials, start by selecting a suitable terrarium or glass tank with proper ventilation. Line the enclosure with an appropriate substrate and add hiding spots like hollow logs or cork bark. Incorporate live or artificial plants such as pothos or ferns to create a naturalistic environment, along with climbing structures like branches or rocks. Install heating and lighting sources to maintain temperature gradients and provide UVB lighting for your gecko's health. Maintain humidity levels, offer food and water dishes, and monitor cleanliness regularly to ensure a comfortable and stimulating habitat for your gecko's well-being. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question How do I know if my geckos have bred? Community Answer You can look at your female gecko for signs of breeding: lessened appetite, bulging stomach, excessive digging, aggression, and moving in between moist, dry, and warm hiding places. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 47
Question Can I always keep my female and male together? Community Answer You could, but the female may get stressed because the male will always try to mate. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 53
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Video
Things You'll Need
Cage for Geckos (20 Gallon for two, 10 Gallons more for each additional female)
Laying box. A piece of tupperware of equivalent filled with damp moss for the female to lay in.
Incubation Medium (usually Perlite)
Lots of crickets dusted with calcium for egg growth
Place for each baby to stay
Very small crickets for the babies
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about lizard care, check out our in-depth interview with Clint Bartley.
Co-authored by: Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert This article was co-authored by Clint Bartley. Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles. This article has been viewed 154,702 times. 97 votes - 89% Co-authors: 21Updated: January 27, 2026 Views: 154,702Article SummaryX
To breed leopard geckos, start by putting 1 male and 1 female in a long tank that’s at least 20 gallons. Include a shallow dish with calcium and vitamin D powder for the female, which will replace the calcium she’ll use to make eggs. You should also make sure she has water and calcium-dusted insects, since she needs her strength to produce babies. Then, give the geckos about a week to mate, and another 4-5 weeks for the female to lay eggs. Once that happens, be prepared to incubate the eggs for about 60 days, or until the babies begin to hatch. For tips on how to incubate the eggs and take care of your baby leopard geckos, scroll down!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 154,702 times.
Reader Success Stories
Kim Baskins
Jan 23, 2017
"I did not know that they could be put together. My male was only two inches long when we got him at the pet store. My female was bought as a grown up, the exact age is not known. They are both about the same size. "..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories
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Yes No Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert Co-authors: 21Updated: January 27, 2026 Views: 154,70289% of readers found this article helpful. 97 votes - 89% Click a star to add your vote
Kim Baskins
Jan 23, 2017
"I did not know that they could be put together. My male was only two inches long when we got him at the pet store. My female was bought as a grown up, the exact age is not known. They are both about the same size. "..." more
Jayde Gordon
May 8, 2017
"Thanks so much for making this as my female is pregnant and I don't know what to do, but now that I read this, I have everything on track so thanks a bundle!"..." more
Brent Tarog
Nov 14, 2017
"I have 2 leopard geckos, male and female, and I wanted to breed them. So I've gone to the reliable source of tutorial and see how."..." more Rated this article:
Duncan Bottomley
Oct 7, 2016
"How to look after the female gecko while she is pregnant and how to care for her and her babies were the most helpful parts."..." more
Anonymous
Oct 7, 2016
"This gave me information about how to get my female ready for laying eggs and how to look after her and her babies." More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert This article was co-authored by Clint Bartley. Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles. This article has been viewed 154,702 times. 97 votes - 89% Co-authors: 21 Updated: January 27, 2026 Views: 154,702 Article SummaryX
Dogs Cats Rabbits & Furry Friends Fish Birds Other Pets Horses 
486 
1 Get a male and female leopard gecko. The males have hemipenal bulges below the vent whereas females do not. Males and females both have a V-shaped row of scales above the vent but only the male's scales here are hollow and produce wax. This wax is for scent marking their territory. 
2 Get a large cage for the male and female to live in together. Geckos can be kept together without the need to separate them unless you see major aggression.[1] It is sometimes normal when first introducing a male and female for there to be a little squabbling but this usually stops within the first week. 
3 Get the incubator ready for the eggs and provide a lay box. You can use a plastic sandwich container with a lid for this purpose. Cut an entry hole on one side and fill it with damp moss (This can be used as the moist hide too).[2] 
4 Ensure you have customers who will buy your babies when they are ready. 
1 Introduce the female to the male. You can introduce them into the same cage right away, usually.(If you have a female that isn't healthy, do NOT try to breed her. She could die.)[3] 
2 Let nature take its course. Breeding should occur within a week.[4] 
3 Ready the laying box to put in the cage. Females dig to lay their eggs, so you will provide a place for them to dig. 
1 In about 4 to 5 weeks, the female will lay her eggs. Normally, you will see her digging in the laying box and laying the eggs in pairs. It will be easy to tell she has laid the eggs, particularly since she will be much thinner.[5] 
2 Place the eggs in the incubation medium. Remove them from the laying box and be careful not to rotate or jiggle the eggs. After 24 hours of being laid, the embryo inside attaches itself to the side wall of the egg. Rotating or jiggling this egg could cause the embryo to come loose and drown inside, killing it.[6] 
3 Observe the developing embryos. After a few weeks, you will be able to "candle" the eggs using a small flashlight. You don't have to touch the eggs, just take them into a dark room and shine the light as close to the shell as you can. You should see pink inside with red blood vessels. The further along the eggs are, the more you will also see the baby inside as a dark mass. 
4 After around 60 days, give or take depending on the incubation temperature, the eggs should hatch.[8] 
1 Set up the cages for the babies. Before they hatch, set up each individual with it's own small cage. You can also use a 10 gallon (37.9 L) tank with plastic dividers so each baby is housed by itself. Each cage should have a small water bowl as well.[9] 
2 Have tiny crickets readily available. Babies will start eating insects within a day or two of being hatched.[10] 
3 Most importantly and before you breed your leopard geckos, make sure you have homes for all the babies. A single female can lay 12 to 20 pairs of eggs a year, that's 24 to 40 babies![11] 
Clint Bartley Herpetology Expert Clint Bartley is a Herpetology Expert based in Chandler, Indiana. He has over 30 years of experience working with reptiles, and opened Metazotics in 2022, a large reptile breeding facility and specialty store where he oversees a breeding colony of nearly 500 reptiles. Metazotics specializes in reptiles such as colubrids, ball pythons, geckos, tortoises, and more, and serves a national audience with their state-of-the-art online merchandise platform. In particular, Clint is known as an industry leader in Asian rat snake and black rat snake mutations. Clint has successfully reproduced more than 60 species of reptiles in captivity. He was the second person in the United States to produce Archelaphe bella chapaensis (bell rat snakes), and the first person in the U.S. to produce them twice. Metazotics carries a comprehensive line of supplies and habitats, offers all bioactive enclosure needs, and works with local organizations to further their knowledge and understanding of reptiles. 
Community Answer You can look at your female gecko for signs of breeding: lessened appetite, bulging stomach, excessive digging, aggression, and moving in between moist, dry, and warm hiding places. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 4 Helpful 47 
Community Answer You could, but the female may get stressed because the male will always try to mate. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 53 