A Leopard Can Change Its Spots

The new age of leopard gecko care

Having been available in the hobby for decades now, many of us will have witnessed first-hand the shift in how we should be keeping leopard geckos in captivity. Of course, being such a well-established and hardy species, the advancements in husbandry are often met with scepticism with different demographics within the hobby advancing quicker than others.

One major shift in the way we engage with educational resources in recent years is the rise of social media and more specifically, YouTube. The video streaming platform has opened discussions between pet owners in a way that forums never allowed. As well as responding to viewers in realtime, influencers and vloggers can reach audiences across the globe with pivotal information in how to care for their animals. It is therefore no surprise that some of the most popular reptile YouTube channels are focused on our favourite pet species.

Rebecca Ellis is a UK-based vlogger from Hampshire whose YouTube channel, Leopard Gecko Talk has amassed a whopping 262,000 subscribers. 99% of Rebecca’s content is focused solely on the care of leopard geckos, making her one of the most widely reached educational resources on

Rebecca explained: “I’ve been interested in Leopard geckos since I was 10 years old and was able to purchase my first leopard gecko, Gizmo in 2006. I still have her to this day! In 2012 I wanted a bit of an outlet, a place where I could talk about reptiles with fellow keepers and enthusiasts, and so my Youtube Channel (Leopard Gecko Talk) was born.” experts that have bred leopard geckos in the UK since the 70s, reaching a new audience with science-backed information is crucial to improving the hobby.

Rebecca continued: “At the beginning of my journey on Youtube, the biggest misconceptions were that either leopard geckos should only live on calci-sand, or that they should not have loose substrate at all. Nowadays I guess the biggest misconceptions that still linger around the community are that leopard geckos can only be heated using a heat mat, that a 10-gallon tank is a suitable size enclosure for an adult leopard gecko, and that leopard geckos don’t bask. Why do these still exist? Well, I think because it’s much easier and cheaper to buy a small tank, with no UV and a heat mat, and if that’s worked for keepers in the past, then some people may just stick to that way of keeping their gecko(s).”

Like many aspects of continually progressing pet care, many advancements are not simply refrained from. Instead, keepers can be given digging in the substrate, basking on the slate, and rubbing up against cork and rock when it’s shedding, you’ll know you’ve made the right decision. It’s great to see! “

With new platforms giving dedicated people of all ages a louder voice to influence change, herpetoculture is sure to continue improving. Whilst there are countless dedicated individuals that work tirelessly with obscure species, conducting field research and circulating their discoveries, ensuring that those first-time reptile owners, especially the new generation, has access to the correct information is vital.

Rebecca concluded: “I’ve been doing this for almost 9 years and it’s just occurred to me that there really aren’t too many UK-based reptile youtubers - I wonder why that is? I think if you’re passionate about the animals you’re keeping, you know your stuff, but you’re willing to learn and adapt as new information comes to light, then hop onto Youtube and get talking about your favourite herps!”

Leopard Gecko Talk Socials

Youtube - www.youtube.com/leopardgeckotalk

Instagram – leopardgeckoyoutube

Twitter – lgt_youtube

Tiktok - @leopardgecko_yt

Leopard geckos in Indo-Pakistani culture

Leopard geckos are considered poisonous in Pakistan. Reports of their tubercles secreting a liquid that can numb the skin and create irritations were circulated in field research for centuries, although this has of course been disproven. However, it does paint an interesting picture of leopard geckos and other reptiles within Indo-Pakistani culture, where they are shrouded with superstition.