Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale? (25 Interesting Facts)

The leopard gecko, or Eublepharis macularius, is a nocturnal ground-dwelling lizard naturally found in the highlands of Asia and throughout Afghanistan, to parts of northern India. The leopard gecko has become a very popular pet, and due to extensive breeding programs, it is now available in a range of colors and patterns.

Talking of leopard geckos and their characteristics, what about when it comes to pale coloring?

Why is my leopard gecko pale? Leopard geckos can turn pale for various reasons, one reason being kidney disease. Kidney disease is usually caused by a lack of calcium in a leopard gecko’s diet. In this case, you should take your gecko to the vet.

In addition to having well-developed limbs with five toes on each foot, leopard geckos have moveable eyelids, unlike many other lizards, which have lost this ability during evolution.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale?

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world. They are naturally pale with dark spots and bands. However, your pet gecko being pale can be a sign of stress, shedding or a serious health problem.

Here’s are some reasons why your leopard gecko would appear pale

• You’re handling your leopard gecko too much.
• Your leopard gecko is shedding.
• Your leopard gecko’s habitat isn’t set up properly.
• Your leopard gecko has a serious medical problem such as metabolic bone disease, an infection or the beginning of brumation.

Talking of why your leopard gecko is pale, what about when it comes to sick leopard gecko? Leopard geckos are very demanding in captivity, and if you are not providing the proper environment they will become very ill. Moreover, Leopard geckos require access to hides in both their warm and cool ends.

They also require fresh food daily, as well as water, deep substrate to burrow in, and consistent temperatures. If any of these things is lacking, your gecko will become stressed and weak, which can cause it to stop eating and drinking.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale But Not Shedding?

If your leopard gecko is pale and not shedding, this means that he or she is dehydrated. If you are using paper towels as a substrate, it could be because your paper towels are too dry and the gecko is not able to lick moisture off of them.

If you are using an under-tank heater, make sure that it does not extend more than 1/3 of the tank’s length, as this will cause one side of the tank to be much hotter than the other.

This can potentially cause your gecko to become dehydrated by preventing it from moving to a cooler part of the tank. Try misting your gecko with water periodically throughout the day to keep him or her hydrated.

What Makes My Leopard Gecko Pale And Not Eat?

If your leopard gecko is pale and not eating, then it is likely shedding. Do not be concerned if your leopard gecko is pale, this is normal. However, if your leopard gecko has been pale for a long time-probably over a week, then you may have an issue.

Check the following things

• Lighting
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Water
• Diet
• Water

Talking of why leopard geckos become pale and shun eating, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? There are three main reasons why your Leopard Gecko may have turned pale.

1. Stress – This can be caused by the following things: Not enough hiding places, Your gecko not receiving enough calcium or vitamins in their diet, A new environment such as a new tank or you moving house.
2. Shedding – You will notice that about once every month your leopard gecko will start to shed its skin. Before your gecko sheds, it will turn a lighter color, including paler.
3. Time of year – Leopard geckos are known to get paler in the winter months, particularly in the UK due to lack of sunlight and UVB rays, which is what helps keep them at their best coloration.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale After Shedding?

There are several reasons why your Leopard Gecko may still be pale after shedding. If you have recently purchased a Leopard Gecko from a breeder, pet store, or even a friend/family member, there is no reason to be concerned.

If you have had your Leopard Gecko for a while, then it is possible that they are suffering from MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). MBD occurs when certain nutrients are not provided in adequate amounts over a period of time. This can mean either too much calcium and no D3, or too much D3 and not enough calcium.

It can be difficult to find out if your gecko has MBD without taking them to an exotic vet, but if they are pale after shedding and look like they are weak, they probably do. One way to tell if they have an underlying problem is by observing their behavior.

Talking of why your leopard gecko would be shading, what about when it comes to the reason your gecko shedding? Your Leopard gecko shedding his skin as he grows can be caused by a number of things, including low humidity and/or incorrect temperature.

You need to check if your vivarium is at the right temperature and humidity levels. If either are too low, you will need to adjust them to the appropriate level. You also need to make sure that you are not handling your gecko too much – handling stresses them out and could cause them to shed more than usual.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Turning Pale?

There are a number of reasons why your leopard gecko might be pale, but the most common reason for a pale leopard gecko is stress. Let take a look at some reasons below

Stress: Leopard geckos are very sensitive to stress. They can display stress in a number of ways:

Aggression: When stressed, leopard geckos can become aggressive towards their owners, other geckos, or their own reflection.

Pale: Leopard geckos will also turn pale when stressed. This is due to hormones kicking in to help them blend into their environment. It’s a survival mechanism, and it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your pet.

Lack of eating: If your leopard gecko stops eating, it’s important to take steps to reduce their stress.

New Environments/Change of environment: Leopard geckos like consistency. If you have recently moved your pet to a new tank or are holding them more often than usual, they may become stressed as they try to adjust to the changes in their environment. Once they get used to their new home or routine, they should stop displaying signs of stress.

Mating Season: Leopard geckos will also become more active during mating season, therefore making them pale.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Getting Pale?

Your leopard gecko may be pale because of temperature, time of day, stress, or some other reason. There are a number of causes of paleness in leopard geckos, and they range from the relatively normal (e.g., a harmless stress reaction) to the very serious (e.g., a calcium deficiency).

To determine what is wrong with your leopard gecko, you’ll need to investigate further.

The first step is to determine whether your leopard gecko should be pale in the first place. Are you seeing him in his tank at night? If so, he’s probably just behaving normally: many lizards like leopard geckos are nocturnal, and they tend to be more active at night.

If he’s not nocturnal and it’s daytime, does he have dark spots on his skin? If so, he might be experiencing stress — for example, if you’ve just introduced him to a new environment or new tankmates. Try moving him back into his old environment and see if he returns to his normal coloration.

Does he have any other signs of illness? For example, is he eating normally? Is his skin shedding properly? If that isn’t the case, take him to see a vet.

Why Is My Fancy Leopard Gecko Pale?

Pale skin is one of the most common reasons why a leopard gecko will lose color. There are several other reasons why your leopard gecko may look pale, including, shedding, stress, and illness.

Talking of your fancy leopard gecko being pale, what about when it comes to why is my baby leopard gecko pale? While leopard geckos are not nocturnal, they do often sleep during the day. If your gecko is pale, it might just be sleeping.

If you want to check on your gecko’s health, you can use a red light at night because this does not disturb your leopard gecko. If you notice that your gecko hasn’t eaten properly or if it has been moving around less than usual, then it could be time to take a trip to the vet.

Talking of why your fancy leopard gecko would turn pale, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? Pale or white coloring in your leopard gecko can be an indicator of illness or disease, so it’s important to take him to the vet as soon as possible.

Leopard geckos are usually yellowish-tan to reddish-brown with black spots, but there are many different color morphs, including albino, which lacks all pigment.

Apathy also causes pale coloring. Apathy is a neurological disorder caused by bacteria or parasites that attack the brain, causing the leopard gecko to become disoriented and lethargic. It will often walk into walls or fall over when trying to walk.

The apathetic lizard will eventually stop eating, drinking and moving completely. Before this happens, get him to the vet right away so he can be treated with antibiotics if necessary.

What Does My Leopard Gecko Being Pale Mean?

While leopard geckos are hardy animals, sometimes they do get sick. One condition that may affect your pet is leucism. While leucism can sometimes be confused with albinism, the two conditions aren’t actually the same.

Leucism occurs when an animal is unable to produce more than one color pigment. Albinism is a genetic condition where animals lack pigment completely and have red eyes as a result. This article will detail how these conditions appear in leopard geckos and what you should do if you suspect your pet has leucism or albinism.

Talking of what it means if your leopard gecko is grey, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? Your gecko is probably stressed out. If you are new to leopard geckos, you may not be aware of how much they need a temperature gradient in order to dig. Also, it’s best if you have different hides for warm and cool sides of the tank.

The best solution is to purchase an under tank heater and a basking light. If you do not have access to them, then try to increase the temperature by putting a warm towel over half of the tank. Put a hide on this side so he has somewhere to go.

You can also try using a hot water bottle or an old sock with rice in it that you heat up in the microwave for about one minute, this should do the trick.

What Happens When A Leopard Gecko Turns Pale?

If your leopard gecko has turned pale or white, you’d probably be worried that it’s sick. This is true in some cases, but in others, the color change is completely natural.

However, if your leopard gecko is pale due to shedding, there’s nothing you need to do. Just monitor them regularly during this time until they’re back to their normal shade of orange or yellow. Usually within 48 hours it should be over with and their eyes will fully clear up as well.

Talking of what happens when a leopard turns pale, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? It is common for leopard geckos to go through periods of being pale. That said, if you notice your gecko is pale, there is no need for concern.

Moreover, it’s normal for leopard geckos to go pale if they are shedding. Geckos can also lose their color because of stress. When they feel stressed, they go pale and hide in a dark place until the stress has gone away.

As long as your gecko is still eating and pooping, it is not sick. Leopard geckos can be very shy and will hide when stressed or feeling threatened.

If you notice your leo hasn’t eaten in a while (2 weeks or more), then take it to the vet to make sure it isn’t sick. The vet will be able to diagnose any issues your leo may have.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale But Not Shedding?

Pale colors in a leopard gecko can be normal sometimes and other times it can indicate an issue. That said, if your Leopard Gecko is turning pale but not shedding, it could also be that they are dehydrated or even suffering from a parasite infestation.

Talking of the reason why your leopard gecko would become pale but not shade, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? This is a common problem with geckos that go into brumation when they’re already pale. Try increasing the basking temperature to 90 degrees.

Also, remove any hides if you have them in there. Leave the gecko on its own for at least two weeks. If the gecko still has not shed, then you need to soak it in very warm water (water as warm as you can stand) and, while it’s submerged, use tweezers to gently pull off dead skin.

This can be dangerous, so do it carefully. It may take multiple soakings to get all of the dead skin off and then you’ll need to watch for any signs of infection.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Turning White?

Leopard geckos are nocturnal animals. They therefore curl up and sleep during the day. Moreover, Leopard geckos like to hide in dark places, so it makes sense that they’d turn white before you wake up in the morning, when their hiding spots are getting lighter.

That said, there’s nothing to worry about unless your gecko doesn’t eat or becomes lethargic.

Talking about why your leopard gecko is turning white, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? This is a common problem when it comes to leopard geckos. This is what can be done to solve your leopard gecko from becoming pale

• The first thing you should do is to let the gecko rest for the day, let it go back into its cave and leave it alone.
• Check that the temperatures are right in the vivarium, they should be between 26C and 29C (78F – 84F)
• Check that you have everything right as nutrition, water bowl, rock shelter, substrate and artificial light.
• Check also if there are no abnormalities like broken toes or feet or missing tail.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale After Shedding?

After shedding, leopard geckos are often pale, especially in the area around their eyes. There is usually nothing to worry about when this happens-Their color will return to normal within a few weeks.

If your gecko doesn’t turn back to its normal color, you can use a calcium or vitamin D3 supplement to encourage proper coloration. If there is no improvement, you should get your pet gecko checked by a vet.

Talking of whether your leopard gecko becomes pale after shedding, what about when it comes to leopard gecko pale and not eating? This is a common problem for leopard geckos. It can be caused by many things, including parasites, illness or injury.

If your gecko was injured, its tail may have been bitten off and it may be in pain. Moreover, if your leopard gecko isn’t not eating it might be sick. Make sure its temperature is correct and that you’re providing her a good diet.

You can also buy special gecko food at the pet store if necessary. If you’re concerned that your gecko is sick or injured, take it to the vet right away.

Finally, talking about why your gecko becomes pale after shedding, what about when it comes to gecko sheds, what causes this? Leopard geckos tend to shed more when they are young and in the process of growing. However, older leopard geckos can shed more than usual as a result of poor conditions, stress, or illness.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Shedding So Much?

Leopard geckos and other reptiles shed their skin in large sections, rather than the small flakes that are produced by humans. The process is called ecdysis and is a natural part of your leopard gecko’s life cycle.

Although juvenile leopard geckos will shed as often as once or twice a week, as your lizard grows older, it will shed less frequently. That said, frequent or excessive shedding may indicate health problems for your pet. Some leopard geckos may also have difficulty shedding their skin properly, which can cause them discomfort.

Such problems can usually be avoided by creating an environment in which your leopard gecko can shed properly.

Talking of why your leopard would be shedding excessively, what about when it comes to what to do when my leopard gecko is shedding? A healthy leopard gecko will shed its skin very regularly. However, sometimes it can have problems getting the skin off.

If you see pinkish skin instead of red skin underneath, try the following:

• Put your gecko in a shallow dish of lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day until the old skin sheds.
• If this doesn’t help, get some Exo Terra Turtle Gel (from a reptile store) and rub it gently onto the stuck area. This should help your gecko to shed the problem area within 2-3 days.
• If you are still having problems after two or three days, take your gecko to a reptile vet immediately! The underlying new skin will become infected if left uncovered for too long.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Eating?

If your leopard gecko isn’t eating, there could be several reasons why. This is a common problem that many new leopard gecko owners have. That said, it doesn’t mean they’re doing anything wrong, or that there is anything wrong for that matter.

There are several things you can try to get your pet gecko to eat again. Leopard geckos are usually more than willing to eat the mealworms or crickets you offer them in their habitat. However, you may occasionally find that your gecko doesn’t seem interested in eating.

You shouldn’t panic if your leopard gecko hasn’t eaten in a few days. That said, it is worth investigating why the gecko isn’t eating and trying to encourage it to do so.

Talking of why your pet gecko isn’t eating, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? Leopard Geckos will become pale and lose color when they are ill or stressed. However, Leopard Geckos can also be pale due to their age.

On the other hand, Baby and juvenile Leopard Geckos are typically more pale than adult Leopard Geckos.

Furthermore, baby Leopard Geckos are born with a bright yellow coloration that darkens as they grow older, so you may notice that your baby Leopard Gecko is pale at first. Juvenile Leopard Geckos can also be quite pale as they have not reached their full coloration yet.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Grey?

There are a few reasons why your leopard gecko may be grey

1. Shedding – Leopard geckos usually shed all at once, so if only some parts of your leo are grey, you may want to check the rest of them.
2. Stress – When you first get your pet gecko, he may be very stressed, which can turn them grey. This will go away over time as he gets used to his new home and handles.
3. Hiding – If you have a tank with more than one level, your leo may be hiding on a different level from the one you’re looking at.

Talking of why your leopard gecko is grey, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? A pale gecko usually indicates illness. If you suspect the same with your gecko, the first thing you should do is to get a thermometer.

Second, make sure the temperature gradient is right. They need warm sides (88-90 degrees) and cool sides (75ish). You also will want something for them to hide under at night so they can stay warm. I use ceramic heat emitters and make sure that my leos get out of them at night.

Third, you might want to get some Calcium dusting powder from the pet store or online. Make sure it has D3 in it. It’s okay if it has other vitamins like B12 but those aren’t necessary for your gecko to live a healthy life. I would suggest dusting their food with this powder once a week and then once every two weeks if they’re adults/subadults (I don’t know how old yours are).

How Often Do Leopard Geckos Shed?

Leopard gecko goes through many shedding stages throughout its life. During each stage, the lizard will shed more often until it reaches adulthood. As your pet grows older, it may shed less often because it doesn’t grow as fast.

When a baby gecko sheds it can take anywhere from 2-3 days for the entire process to be completed. For adults, shedding takes about 1-2 days to be fully done. There are many factors that can affect how often your pet sheds its skin.

However, in general, it is dependent on their age and size. As mentioned above, smaller lizards shed much more frequently than adults do due to their fast growth rate. The shedding schedule below is based on leopard geckos who are kept in ideal conditions and eat a balanced diet.

Talking about how regularly geckos shed, what about when it comes to leopard gecko shed? One thing that you will notice with leopard geckos is they shed their skin. This is completely normal and a sign of a healthy lizard.

Since there are many reasons why a leopard gecko sheds constantly, you should watch out to be sure it is normal.

How often does a Leopard Gecko shed? Hatchling leopard geckos shed every few days, while adults may only shed a couple of times a month. A healthy leopard gecko will lose its skin all at once, in one long piece.

On the other hand, a sick gecko will take longer to shed, and may not be able to remove the entire skin at once. It is important to help your gecko shed because it may tear its skin if it is not removed completely.

Talking of how often a leopard gecko sheds, what about when it comes to shedding leopard gecko? Most leopard geckos shed, and they shed a lot.

However, if you think your leopard gecko is shedding too much, it’s important that you look for any of the following signs

• Loss of appetite.
• Withdrawal from social interactions.
• Running around or pacing in the enclosure.
• Aggression.

If your gecko shows any of these symptoms, it’s best to take them to a vet as soon as possible. If it’s simply a shedding issue, there are ways to help with the process by giving your pet more humidity in their terrarium.

What about when it comes to leopard gecko shedding? Reptiles typically shed their skin as they grow. Nonetheless, constant or excessive shedding can be a sign of stress in leopard geckos.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko So Pale?

The most common reason for pale coloring is too much heat! Leopard geckos should have a hot spot of 90-95F (32-35C) and should be kept at a room temperature between 70-80F (21-27C). If your leopard gecko is turning pale, you may need to lower the temperature in the tank.

Another thing you should check is if the gecko is shedding. Pale patches on the skin indicate that shedding may be at least partially complete. You can help by providing a moist hide.

A change in diet (low protein or lack of crickets, for instance) can also cause color changes, as well as stress. Be sure that all of your gecko’s needs are being met before you jump to any other conclusions.

Talking of why your leopard gecko is excessively pale, what about when it comes to gecko white, or better yet, why do geckos turn white? When shedding, a leopard gecko may turn pale or even whitish in color and may appear to be stressed or lethargic until the shedding process has been completed. This can be frightening if you are not aware of what to expect and think your pet is ill.

If you are worried about your leopard gecko’s health, always consult your vet first rather than waiting for the animal to ‘get better’. Apart from being safe, this approach could save you money.

How Do I Know If My Leopard Gecko Is Dying?

A dying leopard gecko will have sunken eyes, a loss of appetite and a generally weak appearance. You will also see mucus discharge from the leopard gecko’s nostrils and mouth. If you suspect your leopard gecko is dying or ill, consult with an exotic animal veterinarian immediately.

Talking of how you would know if your leopard gecko is dying, what about when it comes to you gecko being sick, what are the signs of a sick gecko? Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your gecko is sick or not.

Here are some signs of a sick gecko

• Your gecko is not eating normally, or it’s not eating at all.
• Your gecko is lethargic, and/or laying around a lot more than usual.
• Your gecko has developed a lump, bump or growth on its body.
• Your gecko’s eyes look cloudy or crusty.
• Your gecko’s feces looks strange (very dark, and runny).

If you see any of the above symptoms in your leopard gecko, get her to the vet right away.

Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale And Lethargic?

A leopard gecko turning pale in color shouldn’t be a problem unless it’s sudden. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they may turn pale in color during the day as they sleep. They also tend to change color in response to outside temperatures and their surroundings, so don’t worry if you see your gecko’s appearance change from time to time.

That said, If the color change is sudden or accompanied by other symptoms, consult your vet for advice. Talking of why your leopard gecko is pale and lethargic, what about when it comes to healthy leopard gecko, what does a healthy gecko look like?

A healthy leopard gecko should have a full, rounded body, and it should also be alert and active.

Below are some signs of a healthy Leopard Gecko. A healthy leopard gecko will

• Have clear eyes with no discharge or crustiness
• Have no injuries or sores on the skin
• Have nails and toes intact. If there are missing toes or nails, it may be a sign of aggression by other geckos in the enclosure.
• Have firm, smooth skin without any lumps or bumps.

Why Has My Gecko Turned White?

That sounds like a case of your gecko shedding. It’s perfectly normal for them to shed their skin, and it usually happens once every month or so.

If you see a white, powdery looking substance all over your gecko, don’t try to clean it off. This is the old, dead skin coming off as the new one replaces it. Just let it be and let him do his thing. When he’s done shedding, he’ll shed the rest of his skin and look normal again.

Also, if you’ve been handling your gecko recently, that could have caused some stress for him too. If so, just give him some time to himself and he should be back to normal in no time.

Leopard Geckos are very easy-going lizards and can make great pets.

Why Is My Gecko Turning Grey?

When this happens, the rest of the gecko will turn grey, as well. This is a normal state of affairs for leopard geckos in the wild, and it allows them to blend in with the desert landscape.

In captivity, this behavior is a sign that the gecko has experienced a shock or believes there is a threat nearby.

Talking about why your gecko is turning grey, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? Your leopard gecko’s coloration can vary based on his mood, his environment, and his genetic background.

For instance, in the wild, a leopard gecko may change his color to blend in with his environment. A pale brown leopard gecko would be able to blend into dirt better than a bright orange one.

In captivity, leopard geckos are often kept at too high of temperatures. This can result in them being pale in color. The higher the temperature, the paler they will become.

How Can I Tell If My Leopard Gecko Is Dehydrated?

The best way to tell if your gecko is dehydrated is by doing a skin tent test. To do this, you gently pinch up a bit of skin between your gecko’s shoulders (where you see stripes or dots on your leopard gecko) and then let go.

If the skin remains tented for a moment before returning to normal, your gecko is dehydrated. Dehydrated skin will also appear “baggy” and loose when compared to healthy skin.

Talking of how you can tell if your leopard gecko is dehydrated, what about when it comes to why is my leopard gecko pale? This color change happens because your leopard gecko is preparing to shed their skin.

The outer layer of their skin separates from the new layer underneath causing it to become loose and shed off in one piece. Once shedding has occurred, they will return to their normal body color.

Final Verdict – Why Is My Leopard Gecko Pale

In conclusion, how best can we answer the question, why is my leopard gecko pale? Among the various reasons your leopard gecko would turn pale is due to kidney disease. The major cause of skin disease is calcium deficiency in your gecko kidney disease.

However, your leopard gecko turning pale doesn’t necessarily indicate something wrong. On the other hand it may also mean that your gecko is experiencing stress, which is the main reason your gecko would become pale. Another common reason for your leo turning pale is shedding.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet gecko a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️