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Description
Leopard Gecko (Black Night Mack Snow)
Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius
Common Name: Leopard Gecko (Black Night Mack Snow)
Species Overview
Size: Adult Leopard Geckos typically reach 8–10 inches (20–25 cm). They are medium-sized, hardy geckos well suited to arid environments.
Appearance: The Black Night Mack Snow morph combines a polygenic darkening line with a colour-altering genetic trait, resulting in a unique, high-contrast appearance. The Black Night influence deepens overall body colour, reducing spotting and enhancing charcoal or dark grey tones. The Mack Snow trait lightens the background colour by reducing yellow pigmentation, often producing a cooler palette of greys, whites, and pale tones. When combined, the gecko displays a striking contrast: cool, light areas influenced by Snow against darker, moody tones from the Black Night lineage. Patterning varies, but many individuals show reduced spotting and sharp tonal separation.
Distribution: The species is native to the arid and rocky landscapes of Pakistan, Afghanistan, northwestern India, and Iran.
Habitat: Leopard Geckos inhabit dry deserts and scrublands, spending the day in burrows or shaded crevices. In captivity, they thrive in warm, semi-arid setups that mimic these natural conditions.
Behaviour: Leopard Geckos are nocturnal, gentle, and inquisitive. They adjust well to routine care, tolerate gentle handling, and display natural behaviours such as burrowing, exploring after dark, and active hunting.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial enclosure measuring at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Include warm, cool, and humid hides. Use a naturalistic substrate, such as sandy soil or a clay-based mixture, to support digging behaviour.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a warm side of 88–92°F (31–33°C) and a cool side around 75–80°F (24–27°C). Nighttime temperatures may drop to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Keep ambient humidity at 30–40%, with a humid hide elevated to 60–70% for shedding. Always regulate heating elements with a thermostat.
Lighting: Low-level UVB (2–5%) is beneficial for calcium metabolism and overall health. Provide a 12-hour day/night cycle.
Diet: Feed gut-loaded insects such as roaches, crickets, silkworms, and mealworms. Adults should be fed every other day; juveniles should be fed daily. Dust all prey with calcium and multivitamin supplements. Fresh water should be available at all times.
Behaviour in Captivity: Leopard Geckos are predictable, hardy, and thrive with consistent care. With proper husbandry, they commonly live 15–20 years or longer.
Special Considerations: As this is a cross between a line-bred trait and a single-gene trait, visual results vary from individual to individual. Care requirements remain identical to any Leopard Gecko.
Taxonomy Note
The Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) belongs to the family Eublepharidae. It is one of the most genetically diverse reptiles in captivity, with an extensive range of selectively bred colour, pattern, and contrast traits.
Genetics Note
This morph combines two traits:
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Black Night (polygenic / line-bred) – Selectively bred for extremely dark pigmentation and reduced spotting.
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Mack Snow (co-dominant / incomplete dominant) – Reduces yellow pigment, creating a cooler, lighter overall colour palette.
Together, these traits influence the gecko’s visual appearance without altering standard care requirements.