Albino leopard geckos are a unique and visually striking addition to the world of pet reptiles. Their distinct white and yellow coloring sets them apart from their regular leopard gecko counterparts, making them a popular choice among reptile enthusiasts.
But before you bring one of these little beauties home, it’s important to know what sets them apart from regular leopard geckos and what their unique care and habitat needs are.
In this article, we will explore the differences in appearance, care, and behavior between albino and regular leopard geckos, as well as what you need to know to ensure your new pet thrives in your care.
So, let’s dive in and get to know these fascinating creatures a little better!
Physical Characteristics
One of the most striking differences between albino leopard geckos and regular leopard geckos is their coloring and patterning. Albino leopard geckos are characterized by their bright white and yellow coloring, with red or pink eyes. This is in contrast to the regular leopard gecko, which typically has a more subdued coloration, ranging from a pale yellow to a dark brown, with black spots or banding.
Another difference between the two is that albino leopard geckos produce much less melanin, a pigment that gives color to the skin, which is why their skin is lighter or even white. This is a genetic mutation that makes the geckos unique and special.
It’s important to note that most albino leopard geckos are not truly albinos, as they do not have the red or pink eyes that a true albino animal would have. Instead, they are a type of leucistic leopard gecko, meaning they have a reduced amount of pigmentation in their skin and eyes. However, some lines of albinos do have pink eyes, like pure “Bell” albino leopard geckos.
In terms of size and shape, albino leopard geckos are similar to regular leopard geckos, growing to an average length of around 8-10 inches and weighing around 60-90 grams. They have the same basic body shape: a wide, flat head, and a thick, sturdy tail.
Overall, albino leopard geckos are unique and beautiful creatures that stand out from regular leopard geckos, due to their striking white and yellow coloring, but are mostly identical apart from that.
Leopard Gecko Albino Lines
The Tremper Albino, the Rainwater Albino, and the Bell Albino are all different types of albino leopard geckos. They are named after the people who first discovered and developed them.
The Tremper Albino was first discovered by Ron Tremper in 1999. It is considered to be the first albino leopard gecko variety and is characterized by its pale white and yellow coloring and red eyes. The Tremper Albino is considered to be one of the most popular and widely available albino leopard gecko varieties.
The Rainwater Albino is a rarer variety, first found by Brian Rainwater in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its pale white and yellow coloring and blue eyes.
The Bell Albino is the newest line of this list, discovered by Brian Bell in the early 2000s. It is characterized by its pale white and yellow coloring and red eyes. The Bell Albino is easy to spot since it’s the only albino with pink eyes, rather than the quite normal eyes that other albino lines have.
In terms of care and habitat needs, there are no significant differences between the Tremper, Rainwater, and Bell Albinos. They all have the same basic requirements for heat, humidity, light, and diet.
Albino Morphs & Colors
There are a ton of different morphs for leopard geckos, many of which are based to some degree on an albino line. A morph is simply a genetic (or non-genetic) variation or mutation, usually resulting in a unique color or pattern of the gecko’s skin.
While some as quite extreme, like the completely white, red-eyed Diablo Blanco morph, some are quite normal-looking. From white to yellow, browns, and even lavender-like colors, there are tons of variations – far over 100 different leopard gecko morphs exist today!
You can get a nice overview on UrbanReptile’s site, but it’s far from a complete list – new combinations are bred and discovered every year!
Care and Habitat Needs
When it comes to the care and habitat needs of albino leopard geckos, there are some key differences to keep in mind compared to regular leopard geckos.
First, temperature and humidity are important factors to consider. Albino leopard geckos require a warm and humid environment, with a basking spot temperature of around 90-95°F and a cooler area of around 75-80°F. It’s important to provide a heat source, such as a heat lamp or under-tank heating pad, to create a temperature gradient within the enclosure. Additionally, a humidity level of around 30-40% is ideal for albino leopard geckos, which can be achieved by misting the enclosure or providing a water dish.
Learn all about the right temperature setup and humidity setup in our guides!
Second, lighting and UVB are important for albinos as well as for regular leopard geckos. They require a UVB light source, such as a fluorescent bulb or a mercury vapor bulb, to help them produce vitamin D3, which is important for maintaining healthy bone growth. It’s also important to provide a basking spot for your albino leopard gecko, as this will allow it to absorb heat and UVB rays to stay healthy.
However, you have to provide less UVB light for albino leopard geckos, as they are more sensitive to it and can get sunburnt if you expose them to too much UVB!
More on the proper lighting setup here.
Third, diet and feeding habits are also important to consider. Both albino and regular leopard geckos are insectivores, meaning they mainly eat insects. A diet of crickets, mealworms, roaches, and wax worms can provide the necessary nutrition for your albino leopard gecko. It’s also important to dust the insects with a calcium powder supplement to ensure your albino leopard gecko receives the necessary calcium for healthy growth.
Learn more in our complete guide to leopard gecko diet, feeding schedule plus a food list!
In short, apart from the reduced UVB tolerance, caring for an albino leopard gecko is the same as for any other leopard gecko.
Handling and Behavior
When it comes to handling and behavior, there are no real differences between albino leopard geckos and regular leopard geckos.
Socialization and handling: Albino leopard geckos, like regular leopard geckos, can be skittish and nervous when first handled, but with patience and gentle handling, they can become quite friendly and docile pets. It’s important to give your albino leopard gecko time to adjust to its new surroundings and to handle it gently, using two hands to support its entire body.
It’s important to note that albino leopard geckos, like regular leopard geckos, can be sensitive to stress and changes in their environment. It’s important to minimize handling and disruptions in their enclosure and to be mindful of their behavior, as any sudden changes in behavior can indicate stress or illness.
Overall, albino leopard geckos can make great pets, with gentle personalities and easy-going behavior. With patience and proper handling, they can become friendly and docile pets, which are easy to care for and handle.
Remember that leopard geckos are not as playful as most pets, and should only be handled by someone once they have built trust with that person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, albino leopard geckos are a unique and visually striking addition to the world of pet reptiles. They stand out from regular leopard geckos due to their unique coloring, and often the absence of coloring and patterns.
However, it’s important to note that they have specific care and habitat needs that must be met in order to ensure their well-being. They require a warm and humid environment, UVB light, and a diet of crickets, mealworms, and wax worms.
In terms of handling and behavior, albino leopard geckos can be skittish when first handled, but with patience and gentle handling, they can become quite friendly and docile pets. They have the same basic behavior patterns as regular leopard geckos: they are crepuscular and solitary animals.
So if you are thinking about picking up an albino leopard gecko as a pet, all the regular caretaking advice applies to these special specimens exactly the same!