As the owner of a leopard gecko, it’s essential to know what your pet needs. Since leopard geckos live in dry places, you might wonder how much water they need. What kind of water requirements do Leopard Geckos have? Should they get anything to drink?
Leopard Geckos drink very little water and can go without for several days. They use water to soak and assists in the shedding process. Keep a shallow bowl of fresh water in their vivarium and spray the enclosure once a week will meet their water needs. Frequently change the water to keep it fresh.
A lot of people believe that taking care of reptiles is a challenging and demanding task. Taking care of reptiles like leopard geckos is not difficult in any manner at all. However, the method of care necessary for them is distinct from that required for a pet animal.
Do Leopard Geckos Drink Water?
Although your leopard gecko originates from dry places, it needs water regularly. Your pet gets most of its water from the food it eats. Some insects have a higher water content than others, which helps them meet the water needs they have set for themselves.
They also drink water, but not as much as your other pets. In order to aid your leopard gecko with hydration and shedding, you must supply clean, fresh drinking water in its habitat at all times. Leopard geckos require water to survive.
How Leos Get Water?
Geckos have several fascinating adaptations for acquiring and retaining water in their bodies.
- The first method involves taking a drink straight from one of the accessible water sources.
- They may also produce water through a process called metabolic water production, which involves extracting water from the food that they consume. The second strategy allows reptiles to fulfil anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of their overall hydration requirements.
- The last method, which is also the most intriguing, is called moisture-harvesting, consisting of collecting water via the skin. Using high-powered microscopes, researchers discovered that lizards’ skins contain a network of straw-like structures that, in essence, transport water that has been collected on the skin from the surrounding environment to the animals’ mouths. These structures can be found all over the lizards’ bodies. This strategy is relatively frequent in flora and fauna that have evolved in arid environments.
Water Storing Process In Leos
It’s possible that this won’t be a huge concern for geckos that come from mesic habitats (environments that often have access to water), but for species that have always lived in xeric ecosystems, it might very well be a matter of life and death (where water is scarce).
However, as a result of evolution, geckos and other reptiles that have had to survive dry periods are now able to conserve as much water as possible through a variety of clever means:
- Leos that are native to regions with temperate temperatures put on weight by consuming foods rich in moisture to be better prepared for the dry seasons, during which access to water may be limited.
- Others will use their tongues in an effort to extract even the tiniest droplets of water that are lying on plants or the ground;
- There are additional species of lizards that are able to store water temporarily in their urine bladders, allowing them to live through the two to three months of the summer when it is hot and dry.
- Some of them try to make up for the water they’ve lost by retreating and burrowing into places that are cold and damp;
- In general, however, waste ejection is the primary mechanism that helps geckos to save water. This is an ironic twist on the meaning of the phrase.
You may or may not have noticed that gecko feces is extremely dry, but it is. However, this is not the end of the story since, in contrast to people, their urine is also relatively solid. In this context, “white odorless speck” refers to the speck that is frequently found in close proximity to their droppings but does not have any odor.
So, what is their secret to success here? They do this by a mechanism referred to as uricotelism, which enables them to keep more water in their bodies while getting rid of nitrogenous waste in the form of the uric acid rather than urea or ammonia.
Consequences if you Fail to Offer a Water Dish to your Leo
Leos are at risk for various detrimental health issues without access to a dish of water. Dehydration is a predisposing factor in a wide range of other medical conditions. Your pet has a much-increased risk of being very ill and dehydrated if you do not provide easy access to water for it.
Warning signs of dehydration include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Consuming very little or no water
- Skin with wrinkles or a wrinkly look
- The suppleness of the skin is diminished
- Lethargy and a lack of strength
If you see any of these symptoms, it is quite probable that your pet is suffering from dehydration. In this case, you should ensure that your pet has easy access to extra water and schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Why Is It Necessary to Give Them Water?
It is very recommended that a deep bowl or dish with clean water be kept inside the habitat of the Leopard Geckos at all times. You might be wondering why precisely. Even if they don’t drink much water and get moisture from insects, they may want it periodically.
Leopard Geckos drink water when they haven’t eaten enough insects to meet their moisture needs, as when they shed. It is a good idea to maintain a constant water supply within their terrarium at all times.
How Often Do Geckos Drink Water?
Provide fresh water daily in a dish large enough for the gecko to soak its whole body in. Soaking in warm water for 15–20 minutes 2–3 times a week is helpful, particularly during a shed.
What Kind Of Water Is Appropriate For Geckos?
In the natural, the water accessible to all species of animals typically has traces of salts and minerals. Natural water is vital for optimal biological functions. In most cities, though, geckos are kept as pets and do not live in the wild.
Spring Water
Gecko care specialists consider natural spring water the superior option for drinking, bathing, and misting. This is because geckos living in the wild have access to natural spring water. It comes deep underground, where porous rocks like limestone filter, and Mother Nature cleans it.
You can buy bottled spring water at the grocery store; however, it will save you a lot of money to do so. Typically, bottled spring water is treated with UV light to kill bacteria and a fine filter to remove silica and sand.
Tap Water
Using tap water to hydrate your gecko is situational. Some have healthy tap water, while others have badly polluted water.
Some keepers say it’s unfit to drink since chemicals were added to treat water. Because of this, not only does it include salts and minerals, but it also possibly contains fluoride, chlorine, and chloramines.
Filtered Water
You should consider purchasing a filter system if you want to know what is in your water and whether or not it is safe to drink. There are many different kinds of filtration systems on the market. Many eliminate chlorine and bacteria while adding calcium, magnesium, potassium, and salt.
Distilled Water
Experienced gecko keepers use distilled water for their geckos since it lacks flavor and odor and is essentially pure water. Distillation removes impurities from the water.
Some people believe it is the “purest” form of water that can be obtained; hence, many incorrectly assert that it has no health risks whatsoever. On the other hand, this is not the situation.
In recent years, specialists have cautioned against the common practice of providing distilled water as the only source of hydration for geckos. The acidity of the water increases as beneficial minerals are extracted from it. Consumption and exposure over an extended period might prove exceedingly hazardous since the body will be compelled to compensate by extracting minerals from teeth and bones to neutralize the acid.
How To Supply Water
There are two efficient ways you may use order to provide water for your leopard gecko.
- You can first put a water bowl in their cage, though not all geckos will drink from it. Water dishes are not only for drinking but also for soaking. So if your gecko likes to soak, get larger dishes to fit in. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that not all reptiles are proficient swimmers and are, as a result, at risk of drowning. Because of this, it is essential to consider the container’s depth.
- In addition to this, you may mist the cage regularly. The mist creates droplets on the leaves and ornaments, allowing your animal companion to drink from the mini pools of water as they would in the natural environment.
Geckos that live in dry areas can also use this method to get water. However, if you want to spray gecko species native to hot and arid locations, the tank has to have sufficient ventilation and heat so that the humidity may remain at a reasonably low level.
What If I Don’t Give My Gecko Water?
Without access to a water dish, leopard geckos and crested geckos are at risk for various detrimental health issues. Dehydration is a typical reason for a wide range of other medical conditions. Your pet has a much-increased chance of being very ill and dehydrated if you do not provide easy access to water.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Wrinkled skin
- Skin loses elasticity
- Lethargy and weakness
- Trouble Shedding
- Difficulty passing stool or recurrent constipation.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is quite probable that your pet is suffering from dehydration. You should ensure that your pet has easy access to extra water and schedule an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible.
FAQs
Is Bottled Water Safe for Leos to Drink?
There is no way that geckos could have been born with the mechanisms humans have that would enable them to handle the hard water that is often found in our faucets today. They will have the finest alternatives for drinking water if you provide water from your refrigerator, water in bottles, or water filtered with a filter.
In the event that you have no other choice than to provide them with tap water, leopard geckos have been known to do quite fine with it; nonetheless, it is best to provide them with spring or distilled water whenever possible. They wouldn’t be adversely affected by drinking water from a bottle either. If at all possible, you should steer clear of drinking water from the tap.
Why is my leopard gecko not drinking water?
It’s possible that your Leo isn’t drinking water because they are receiving water from the food they eat. This happens if your Leos are being selective or because they are having trouble adjusting to their new surroundings. In any event, it is usually best to practice patience with your Leo while you are attempting to coax it into drinking more water.
Do Leos Require a Water Dish in Their Vivarium?
Yes”! Your Leo must have access to a water dish in order to drink and stay hydrated. The provision of drinkable water is only one aspect of the function of a water dish.
Leos can benefit from additional hydration or aid during the shedding process, and having a water dish on hand might be a valuable tool if your Leo is experiencing difficulty shedding its skin. The gecko is able to shed its skin more easily with the assistance of water since it helps to loosen it up slightly.
Keeping water in the tank at all times can help increase the humidity, which is essential for our reptile friends who need a certain degree of moisture in the air.
Additionally, there is no standard water dish size for any Leo, but there are some broad recommendations that you may use to determine which Leo would do best in the cage you have provided for it.
Generally, the water dish needs to be deep enough for it to drink from, but it shouldn’t be so deep that it entirely submerges the gecko.
What Type of Water Dish Is Ideal for a Leopard Gecko?
Leopard geckos may soak in water bowls. They may do this to control their body temperature better. Your gecko’s water bowl should have a depth that is not deep enough to put it at risk of drowning, and it should be easy for your gecko to get into and out of the bowl.
Most of the time, it’s best to put the water bowl on the cool side of the enclosure. This way, the water won’t evaporate as quickly as it would if it were on the hot side.
How Long Can a Leopard Gecko Go Without Drinking?
Reptiles need to be kept adequately hydrated, and leopard geckos are no exception. They require access to potable water and a humid environment within their enclosure. If you will be away from your house for a few days, provide a dish of water for your pet. Adult reptiles can last a few days without water, but your leopard gecko may die after three days.