Do Leopard Geckos Pee? Suggestions, Indicators & FAQs

You probably have a leopard gecko, you’ve most likely puzzled why you don’t discover large moist spots in its tank. This begs the query; the place is the pee? Do Leos pee? What does their pee appear to be? As uncommon as it could sound, leopard geckos don’t excrete liquid pee. As an alternative, they produce urates, which is a creamy, pasty semi-solid just like pee!

Leopard geckos are native to arid desert environments the place water is scarce. As such, their digestive programs are constructed to preserve as a lot of this treasured commodity as doable. The excrement of a wholesome gecko is brown on one finish and white on the opposite. Whereas the brown part is common poop, the white finish is semi-solid waste from its kidneys and bladder.

Learn on to quench your curiosity concerning the leopard gecko’s mysterious urates. We can even share sensible tricks to hold your scaly buddy comfortable and wholesome.

Let’s start!

What Does Leopard Gecko Pee Look Like?

Leos typically move poop and urate on the identical time. The capsule-like waste is roughly half an inch lengthy and is often brown on one finish and white or off-white on the opposite. The brown stuff that’s almost three-quarters of the waste is common poop.

That smaller, chalky white or off-white part is urate or strong pee. It could actually differ in dimension and form from a small spot on one finish of the poop to an extended blob almost 1 / 4 the dimensions of a gecko’s stool. Additionally it is doable for a wholesome pet to provide solely urates, particularly throughout breeding season when each men and women barely eat.

Urates are comparatively agency, semi-solid, and never moist or runny. Nonetheless, it’s common for excrement to have small quantities of fluid that helps make excretion simpler. The damp patch dries shortly and usually lacks that robust, offensive urine stink.

On uncommon events, leopard geckos might have liquid pee. This normally occurs in the event that they’re scared or burdened, akin to in the event that they’re dealt with too lengthy. Usually, they attempt to keep away from liquid urine as a result of it wastes water.

Why Strong Pee and Not Common Liquid Urine?

Leopard geckos produce urates as a sneaky method of their urinary tract programs to avoid wasting as a lot water as doable.

These reptiles are native to dry and sizzling areas the place water is a scarce commodity. The pee is often firmer and may be crushed right into a powdery type, particularly if a gecko has not had water for a number of days or perhaps weeks. This exhibits simply how little water is misplaced throughout excretion.

Though urates are semi-solid, they serve the identical perform as common urine as a result of they assist clear uric acid and different urinary waste from the physique. Nonetheless, it’s going to have a comparatively gentle stink that people hardly discover except you determine to stand up shut and private.

Is Hydration Necessary for Leopard Geckos?

Leopard geckos can survive for as much as three days with out water, although it’s finest to not allow them to go that lengthy. Their physique programs guarantee solely small quantities of water are misplaced by pee. Nonetheless, hydration is essential to their general well being and well-being. Water aids in efficient digestion and ensures your scaly good friend maintains optimum well being and vitality ranges.

Though leos get a lot of the water they want from meals, you will need to additionally present fixed entry to wash water in a shallow bowl. Verify the water day by day and clear the bowl routinely to forestall the expansion of dangerous micro organism and fungi.

The dearth of water causes digestive issues and dehydration. A dehydrated leopard gecko will poop much less, and its urates will appear smaller and darkish yellow. There are quite a few different signs of dehydration, together with dry, overly-wrinkled pores and skin (not from an upcoming shed), issue shedding, lethargy, and constipation.

How Do You Clear Up Gecko Urate?

Leopard geckos are assorted in how messy they’re. With most, you’ll solely possible discover urate (and poop) on a particular nook of their tank. This could make cleanups simpler, primarily if you happen to use the suitable technique. Others could also be messy and can use their complete tank as a toilet, even the water or meals bowls.

First, keep away from cleansing up “contemporary” strong waste lest you get grossed out. No matter the substrate, it’s higher to attend some time for every thing to get somewhat onerous. The poop and urates shall be tougher and simpler to choose utilizing a paper towel or plastic scoop in simply half an hour or so.

In case you don’t wish to cope with a large number, your scooping approach issues. The key to changing into your scaly good friend’s mess-free pooper scooper is to keep away from utilizing an excessive amount of strain. In case you by chance press the urates together with your scoop or maintain it too tightly together with your paper towel, it’s going to disintegrate right into a white powder.

It’s essential to sometimes give your leopard gecko’s tank scrub to maintain the cage freed from micro organism. Make sure the cleaners you employ are scent-free, chemical-free, eco-friendly, and secure for reptiles.

The 4 Tricks to Hold Your Leopard Gecko Wholesome and Pleased

Leos are comparatively long-lived pets and might simply outlive nearly all of fashionable furry companions. Nonetheless, the lifespan of your scaly buddy will typically depend upon the care it receives.

Do you wish to give your pet most possibilities of hitting the 20-year life expectancy mark? Listed below are 4 ideas that may show you how to hold it comfortable and wholesome.

1. Meet Its Housing Wants

The state of a house units the temper. If you wish to hold your scaly good friend comfortable, you will need to first put money into making a housing setup that mimics its pure habitat.

Enclosure Dimension 

One grownup leopard gecko wants a vivarium at the very least 30 cm vast, 60 cm lengthy, and 40 cm excessive. Even if you wish to undertake a hatchling or juvenile, investing in an adult-size enclosure is all the time higher. This can prevent from buying new tools as soon as your pet turns into an grownup at 12 months of age.

Temperature & Humidity

Other than tank dimension, you will need to additionally contemplate the enclosure’s design. Be certain it’s well-ventilated and straightforward to wash. They want a temperature gradient of 75 to 80 levels on the cool aspect and 80 to 85 levels on the recent aspect. In addition they want a basking space with a sizzling spot of 90 to 95 levels.

Additionally, make sure that your tank incorporates a comparatively dry surroundings. You need to use a hygrometer to measure the humidity and guarantee it’s between 30 and 40%. You need to present a humidity cover that’s enclosed with moist moss or paper towels that your leopard gecko can entry throughout shedding to assist with the method.

Substrate

It’s crucial to supply the suitable, gecko-friendly substrate. A few of the finest substrates embody paper towels, newspapers, reptile carpets, stone slates, excavator clay, and ceramic tiles. Embrace some hides that your gecko can use to calm down or climb for enrichment.

2. Present a Balanced Food plan

Like all different geckos, leos are insectivorous lizards. They eat bugs and have a specific liking for dwell ones. Make sure you present dusted and gut-loaded bugs that may move all the mandatory vitamins to your scaly companion.

Leopard geckos should not choosy eaters and might take pleasure in a variety of bugs on their menu. Their favorites embody dubia roaches, tremendous worms, crickets, mealworms, and waxworms.

Moreover, you must also mud the meals with a complement of pure calcium and vitamin A, which is out there in reptile-specific formulation. Bear in mind to additionally put some water in a shallow tray to maintain your Leo hydrated and wholesome.

3. Decrease Widespread Causes of Stress

There are some stressors that may make your scaly good friend sad, scared, or anxious. It is important to know your pet’s character to have a better time figuring out and eradicating or minimizing potential stress sources.

For example, leopard geckos are quiet creatures that take pleasure in hours of silence and solitude. Inserting their tank in a busy spot could make them burdened and anxious. Additionally, your scaly good friend can get nervous if its enclosure’s design or state exposes it to potential predators, which is why it’s necessary so as to add loads of hiding spots.

Furthermore, Leos can get sad due to an excessive amount of dealing with. These geckos are rarely aggressive however can present they wish to return to their tank by urinating on you. They’re additionally high-strung creatures and discover fast or startling actions upsetting.

4. Don’t Neglect to Have Common Bonding Classes

Bonding classes supply a superb alternative for you and your scaly good friend to know one another. Though it could take some time earlier than your gecko trusts you sufficient to permit you to maintain it, this can occur finally.

You should be affected person on your pet to belief you and really feel comfy in your presence. Proper after adoption, most geckos will need nothing to do with you. Thankfully, they heat as much as their house owners inside three to 6 weeks and change into extra receptive to being dealt with.

As you anticipate this to occur, give your scaly good friend a reputation. As soon as it stops hiding every time it sees you, choose it up gently and assist its physique, tail, and legs. Additionally, don’t pet it, as this may set off nervousness. It’s higher to remain put and permit it to stroll round freely in your hand or lap.

Last Ideas

Leopard geckos make glorious scaly pals. They’re cute, colourful, quiet, and even-tempered creatures that love being held even by youngsters. Additionally, they’ve minimal care necessities as a result of they will spend time alone and have good rest room manners.

Though you will need to clear up after them, they produce urates, that are straightforward and painless to choose.

When cleansing up after your leopard gecko, all the time verify for anomalies that will point out well being issues. For example, present extra hydration if the urate is yellow. Additionally, seek the advice of your vet if you happen to see coloured urates or massive swimming pools of liquid across the urate (and poop) on greater than three consecutive events.

Featured Picture Credit score: Reinhold-Leitner, Shutterstock