Decorating your leopard gecko's terrarium is more than just a means to spend money or beautify your reptile's space. Although they may have an aesthetic function, ornaments also improve the reptile's quality of life by simulating its natural environment and providing mental stimulation. The best zoos do it all the time; This is called environmental enrichment.
Hiding/Caves A leopard gecko needs at least two hiding places: one moist and warm, and one cool and dry. However, don't limit yourself to just two hiding places. If possible, add more, such as a warm, dry hiding place. People like to have options, and leopard geckos do too!
Plants There aren't many plants in the leopard geckos' natural environment, but if you want to enhance the aesthetic with plants, great! Be sure to wash the artificial plants before using them. Custom Reptile Habitats has a great selection of super realistic and durable options.
All live plants should be non-toxic and suitable for a dry environment, so you don't have to increase the humidity too much with occasional watering.
Rocks One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your enclosure is with rocks. Leopard geckos like to climb, and in fact, stacking pieces of slate with spacers one to two inches apart simulates the crevices they hide and climb in in their natural environment.
Water Bowl Geckos drink easily from water bowls, so they need one in their enclosure. It should be shallow enough so that the gecko cannot accidentally drown, and the water should be replaced daily or when it becomes dirty.
Background If you are using an all-glass enclosure, adding a naturalistic background can be much more attractive. It also helps the gecko feel more secure in its environment because it can't see outside as much.
Additional Tips Keep in mind that changes in decor can disorient or stress your gecko, causing them to act strangely. This is normal for one to two weeks after significant changes, but varies depending on the gecko. If your gecko doesn't mind or seems to enjoy the change, then it could be a good way to improve his environment. If your gecko reacts poorly to change, it's best to keep the layout the same (no matter how boring you think it is).
Key points:
- The decoration enriches the environment and improves the leopard gecko's quality of life.
- Provide multiple hiding places so the gecko has options.
- Choose suitable and non-toxic plants.
- Rocks and caves simulate the natural environment and allow the gecko to climb.
- Keep water fresh and clean in a suitable bowl.
- Consider a naturalistic background to improve the gecko's aesthetics and safety.
- Observe your gecko to determine how it reacts to changes in decor and act accordingly.
