tangerine leopard gecko

With its vivid orange colour and various patterns and hues, the Tangerine Leopard Gecko is a very attractive morph. Due to their simplicity of maintenance and independence, leopard geckos are attractive pets because they don’t require a lot of engagement from their keepers. They are fascinating to watch and, in certain cases, can survive up to 20 years or longer in captivity.
The basic care requirements for tangerine leopard geckos are the same as those for any other gecko, among the numerous distinct leopard gecko morphs. In this essay, we examine the fundamental housing, dietary, and maintenance requirements for these incredibly attractive creatures.

Quick Facts About Tangerine Leopard Gecko

Do Tangerine Leopard Geckos Make Good Pets?

Leopard geckos are excellent pets for beginners because they are often calm, sociable, non-aggressive, and rarely bite. Despite the fact that they dislike handling, they are not swift or timid, thus there is little chance of dropping them.
They are resilient animals that can live in less-than-ideal conditions and don’t require much cage care. They can be handled regularly, however not for extended durations to prevent tiring them out because they are often placid, slow-moving, and easy to tame. Leopard geckos are excellent pets for all the aforementioned factors and more, especially for novice reptile aficionados.

Appearance

Any Leopard Gecko with orange colour can be categorized as having a Tangerine morph. They can have black stripes or spots on their tail in addition to darker orange to red markings or blotches on their body. Some tangerine geckos are referred to as “Super Hyo Tangerines” because of their exceptionally brilliant orange hue. Compared to geckos with less vibrant colors, these can sell for significantly more money.

How to Take Care of Tangerine Leopard Geckos

Leopard geckos’ low maintenance requirements and lack of requirement for a huge tank setup make them one of the most alluring reptiles for novices.

Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup

Tank

For a Leopard Gecko, a glass aquarium with a lid is excellent; an old, disused fish tank works well. A reasonable starting point is ten gallons per gecko and an additional five gallons for each gecko you add. Once a day, you should spot-clean the tank to get rid of any waste or uneaten food, and once a month, you should give it a thorough cleaning. To lessen the possibility of bacteria growth, remove everything from the cage, throw away the substrate, and clean and disinfect the cage and all of its accessories.

Lighting

Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they don’t need a lot of UV illumination. However, as they are active at dusk and dawn in the nature, a small quantity of UV light (2–7%) is advised. They will require an incandescent lamp to resemble sunlight and roughly 14 hours of light throughout the summer. During the winter, this can be lowered to 12 hours. A timer is a practical and affordable tool for maintaining regulated lighting.

Heating (Temperature & Humidity)

In order for your gecko to select their preferred temperature, you must supply both a hot and a cool side inside of their cage. A heat lamp may easily create a hotter side of the habitat, but heat rocks are typically not advised because your gecko could get burned. Ideal temperature ranges for a basking area are around 88 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and a thermal gradient of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit across the rest of the cage at night.
Since they are native to the desert, leopard geckos require an atmosphere that is between 30 and 40 percent humid. This is around the standard humidity level for the majority of households, and a mesh lid should aid in maintaining the humidity level.

Substrate

The Leopard Gecko can be kept in a variety of substrates, but you should avoid using sand because it can irritate the eyes and cause digestive obstructions, as well as wood shavings since they can harm the foot. Great substrate options include newspaper, pea gravel, artificial grass, flat stones, tiles, and reptile carpet. Make sure your Gecko cannot consume whatever you decide.

Feeding Your Tangerine Leopard Gecko

Because leopard geckos are predominantly insectivores—that is, they only consume insects and no plants or vegetables—feeding them is straightforward. Geckos prefer eating live, gut-loaded crickets, though they will occasionally eat mealworms, silkworms, and waxworms as well. To make sure your gecko gets all the vitamins and minerals they require, dust your crickets with powdered supplements.

Keeping Your Tangerine Leopard Gecko Healthy

Your leopard gecko will be generally healthy and live a long time in captivity if it is kept in a tank with the right humidity and temperature settings, is fed a nutritious diet of gut-loaded insects, and receives adequate calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation.

Common Health Issues

One of the most serious diseases that can affect Leopard Geckos is metabolic bone disease, which is primarily brought on by inadequate calcium and vitamin D3 intake. Painful abnormalities may result from this.
Additionally, they are vulnerable to gastroenteritis, a bacterial infection that can be fatal but is manageable. Another frequent problem that might make your gecko’s shedding challenging is dysecdysis. If they dwell in an overly damp environment, they may also be susceptible to respiratory problems.

Lifespan

Leopard geckos often live 6 to 8 years in the wild because they are vulnerable to several predators, such as birds and snakes. However, they can readily live for 10 to 20 years in captivity, and in a few exceptional instances, they have even been known to live for 30 years!

Breeding

Leopard geckos are simple to breed in captivity, and when a male and female are kept together, viable eggs develop quickly. Your female will require a tiny nesting container with soft soil, like as peat moss. You can extract and incubate her eggs once she lays them to increase your chances of success. Geckos hatchling care can be a difficult yet rewarding task.

Are Tangerine Leopard Geckos Friendly? Our Handling Advice

Leopard geckos are typically calm, pleasant, and non-aggressive creatures that are simple to handle. They are excellent for kids because they won’t suddenly jump out of the hand because they move slowly. They can be dealt with on a daily basis, but this should be limited to prevent stressing them out.

Shedding & Brumation: What to Expect

Leopard geckos regularly shed their skin, like other reptiles do, albeit their procedure is a little different than that of other lizard species. Similar to how a snake sheds its skin, they will do the same. The skin of other lizards will peel off gradually. As your Leo sheds, you’ll also notice that their color gradually fades, they get duller, and eventually they turn white.
Brumation is optional in captivity, and most Leos will live long, healthy lives if kept at the same temperature. Brumation can last between 30 and 90 days if you decide to induce it; during this time, your Leo will stay in its den and not eat, but you should guarantee that there is access to fresh water.

How Much Do Tangerine Leopard Geckos Cost?

Leopard geckos are commonly sold for roughly $30 because they are readily available and simple to breed. However, tangerine kinds are more sought-after and can easily cost $80 or more, with Super-Hypo versions selling for as much as $400, depending on how brilliant their coloring is.

Final Thoughts

The Tangerine Leopard Gecko is a great option of reptile for beginners since it is easy to handle, requires little space, and is not aggressive. If you have a passion and amazement for reptiles and want to understand more about their routines, the leopard gecko is a terrific place to start. These gorgeous animals are wonderful to observe in their tanks.

Reference

https://petkeen.com/tangerine-leopard-gecko/