I wondered, could I adapt those methods to my leopard gecko cage? While tropical and forest setups are more common, some pioneering individuals have successfully designed enclosures for desert species such as bearded dragons and Uromastyx. Because naturalistic enclosures with substrate cannot be cleaned in the standard way, bioactive enclosures use a population of invertebrates and microbes to break down waste and keep the substrate clean. My search for natural reptile habitats in captivity led me to the resurgent bioactive reptile community. I began researching the natural habitat of leopard geckos. My leopard gecko’s enclosure, while it provided all his basic needs, looked barren in comparison. I’ve spent a great deal of time wandering zoos and nature centers, transfixed by the elaborate habitats and their inhabitants. Even then, my gecko’s home didn’t seem adequate. A hardy haworthia succulent followed that. I installed a small light fixture with a low-wattage UVB compact fluorescent bulb.

He spent over a year in a simple, modern setup before being moved into a larger display cage with more hides and climbing areas. At the time, I didn’t expect him to live, but he made an incredible recovery once provided with proper care. I fell in love with leopard geckos when I took in a rescue in terrible condition. Still, many keepers wonder about creating more naturalistic enclosures. This simple setup works, and it has saved the lives of many leopard geckos previously kept in inadequate conditions due to ignorance. Anyone involved in the online leopard gecko community can recite the ideal leopard gecko setup: paper towel or tile, belly heat controlled with a thermostat, a dry hide, a humid hide, and a water dish.

Diy hides for leopard geckos