Some people are afraid of geckos or might have a phobia called Herpetophobia fear of reptiles; whereas some people adore reptiles and love to keep them as pets. If you are a reptile lover, then this article is for you.
Here we’ll discuss the two most commonly kept reptile pets viz. Leopard Gecko and African fat-tailed. In the end, you’ll get acquainted with their physical characteristics, behaviour, diet, habitat, etc. Let’s know about them.
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How does Leopard Gecko look?
Leopard Geckos belong to the genus “Eublepharis” which means “true eyelid”; hence the leopard geckoes have fully functional eyelids.
Leopard geckos got their names from their pattern having a resemblance to the leopards; they have spotted patterns with a yellow or brown tint.
An adult leopard gecko has a height ranging between 8-11 inches and weighs around 54-65 gm. They have tough skin having bumps.
The tail of the leopard gecko is almost equal size to its size. Leopard geckos can regrow tail if lost; however, the new tail will be smaller and slightly asymmetrical than the original one. There are many morphs of leopard geckos some of them are normal, blizzard, tangerine, aberrant, high yellow, etc.
What are the physical characteristics of the African Fat-tail Gecko?
African Fat-tail Geckos are different from other gecko species; unlike other gecko species, they have eyelids and don’t have toe pads. They belong to the “Eublepharis” genus of geckos which means fully functional eyelids.
As the name “Fat-tailed” suggests, these geckos have a wide and thick tail with vertical segments running to their entire length. The distinctive tail is for fat reserve which is used as an important energy reserve during the scarcity of food.
The tail of a healthy gecko can be 1.25 inches thick. The body length of an adult Fat-tailed gecko is about 8 inches; they have stocky bodies and weigh around 75 gm.
Another distinctive feature of Fat-tailed Geckoes is the shape of their mouth which makes them appear to be smiling.
The colouration of these geckos is tannish or brown having light or dark blotches or broad bands across both ends of the tail.
What behavior Leopard Geckos exhibit?
Leopard Geckos are also nocturnal. They hide under rocks, in crevices, and burrows during the daytime. Leopard are geckos are usually ground-dwelling species.
Just like other reptiles leopard geckos are also cold-blooded they need heat to maintain their body temperature; they absorb heat from the ground.
How Fat-tailed Geckos behaves?
Fat-tailed Geckos are also solitary reptiles; they prefer to live alone. Also, they are very territorial; small fights between males also happen to get territory having more availability of food.
Fat-tailed Geckos are nocturnal and usually hunt at night. To settle disputes males emit squeaking or clicking sound; they also used sound to warn males or attract females.
When any threat befalls on gecko they autotomize its tail or lose it to attract the attention of prey towards its wiggling tail; this provides them time to escape and protect themselves. However, the tail loss could prove to be a great loss for fat-tailed geckoes because they use their tail to store energy which is used during scarcity of food.
What Leopard gecko and Fat-tailed gecko eat?
Leopards Geckos are strictly carnivores; their diet consists of insects, centipedes, beetles, scorpions, etc. Fat-Tailed Geckos are strictly insectivores; they eat insects, cricket, worms, beetles, etc. They also consume their shredded skin.
Where are Leopard Geckos found?
Leopard geckos are mainly found in Asian countries such as Northwest India, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Where is African Fat-Tailed Gecko found?
African Fat-tailed Geckos are indigenous to western Africa; mainly found in the African region from Senegal to northern Cameroon.
Where do Leopard Geckos Live?
Leopard geckos prefer to live in arid grasslands, semi-dry, or desert regions.
What is African-Fat-tailed geckos habitat?
African Fat-tailed geckos prefer to live in dry, hot, and tropical climates.
Amazing Facts:
- Leopard geckos are unable to climb up the smooth vertical surface as they don’t have toe pads like other geckos.
- Leopard geckos have eyelids. While other geckos lack eyelids, They blink their eyes and close them while sleeping.
- Leopard geckos can emit “barking” sounds when they are distressed or agitated.
- Leopard geckos and African Fat-tailed geckos are quite tameable and very commonly kept as a pet by lizard or reptile lizard.
Also Read: Leopard Gecko vs African Fat tail Gecko Comparison
Face-Off: Leopard Gecko vs African Fat-tail Gecko
The face-off between leopard gecko and fat-tail geckos is quite the complex one. Both these species share similar traits, sizes, and qualities and it’s hard to choose the winner. As geckos are quite docile they don’t fight and are easy to get along with.
Also, both species are widely known for their extremely docile and tameable. Hence, the face-off between them is quite indecisive and we’re unable to recognize the winner. What do you think who would win if a face-off ever occurs between them?
Comparison Video: Leopard Gecko vs African Fat-tailed Gecko
Comparison Table: Leopard Gecko vs African Fat-tail Gecko
| Comparison Heads | Leopard Gecko | African Fat-tail Gecko |
| Kingdom | Animalia | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata | Squamata |
| Family | Eublephariade | Eublepharidae |
| Genus | Eublepharis | Hemitheconyx |
| Habitat | Arid grasslands, semi-dry or dry deserts. | Dry, Hot and Tropical Climate |
| Weight | 54-65 gm | 75 gm |
| Body Length | 8-11 inch | About 8 inches |
| Coloration | Vary; Naturally, there are six different morphs are found. | Brown with beige or tan stripes. |
| Hunts during | Night; Nocturnal | Night, Nocturnal |
| Lifespan | 4-5 years in wild; 20-30 years in captivity | 4-5 years in wild; 10-25 years in captivity |