Evidence: Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) nutrition
Source: Europe PMC (Europe PubMed Central) REST search — first-hand peer-reviewed abstract records, pulled 2026-08-01. Queries covered nutrient requirements, diet formulation, supplementation and deficiency for Eublepharis macularius. The cluster returns 8 representative nutrition studies with abstracts below. Abstract text is verbatim from source; each study is traceable by PMID.
Studies
- PMID 42071922 (2026, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Could Spatial Learning in the Early Stages of Life Consistently Affect the Long-Term Memory of Leopard Geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>)?. Abstract (opening): (1) Background: This study investigates the development of spatial navigation and long-term memory in the leopard gecko (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) to address gaps in understanding reptilian cognitive ontogeny. We aimed to determine if early-life training enhances long-term memory retention and to evaluate the repeatability of individual cognitive performance over time. (2) Methods: Using a modified Morris Water Maze with visual landmarks, we tested 39 individuals across three life stages: juveniles (20 trials), subadults, and adults (10 trials in each later phase). Long-term memory retention was assessed after four and fourteen months. (3) Results: A strong learning effect was observed during the juvenile stage, with geckos significantly improving speed and navigational efficiency. Spatial memory remained stable at the subadult stage (four months post-training), but declined significantly by adulthood (fourteen months post-training), returning to baseline levels. Individual success rates were significantly repeatable during juvenile (R = 0.192) and subadult phases (R = 0.071), although this consistency disappeared in adulthood. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate that leopard geckos possess substantial spatial learning abilities early in life and exhibit individual cognitive differences. However, spatial memory decays over time without reinforcement. The results highlight the importance of considering developmental stages when evaluating the evolutionary and ecological constraints of reptilian cognition. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071922/
- PMID 42071908 (2026, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Composition and Legal Aspects of Reptiles and Amphibians Displayed at an Exotic Pet Fair in Warsaw (Poland).. Abstract (opening): The global exotic pet trade has expanded in recent decades, raising concerns related to animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and compliance with international regulations. Reptiles and amphibians constitute a major component of this trade, yet information on species availability and trade practices at exotic pet fairs remains limited. The primary aim of this study was to identify the reptile and amphibian species offered for sale at an exotic pet fair in Warsaw, Poland. Secondary objectives were to assess the declared origin of the animals and the availability of information regarding their legal and conservation status. Photographic documentation of all exhibition tables was used to record species identity, number of individuals, and labeling practices. In total, 818 individuals representing 74 species from 31 families were recorded. Reptiles, particularly squamates, dominated the assemblage, while amphibians accounted for a smaller proportion of the animals offered. More than half of the individuals were labeled as captive-bred, whereas only a small fraction were identified as imported or wild-caught; however, information on origin was absent for nearly half of the animals. Over 50% of the recorded species were listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, yet no visible information on legal or conservation status was provided at the point of sale. These findings indicate that inconsistent labeling limits transparency and informed decision-making by buyers. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071908/
- PMID 41514721 (2025, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — <i>Cryptosporidium varanii</i> Infection in Captive Leopard Gecko (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) and Its Association with Wasting Syndrome in Thailand.. Abstract (opening): Cryptosporidiosis is a globally important protozoan disease that causes severe gastrointestinal illness in immunocompromised humans and animals and has been associated with chronic wasting and death in reptiles. This study investigated the role of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection in wasting syndrome among captive leopard geckos from a commercial breeding facility in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Thirty-five geckos housed in twenty-three enclosures were observed for four months, with fecal samples collected over three consecutive days every two weeks and pooled for molecular analysis. Clinical evaluations included body weight (BW), tail diameter, and body condition score (BCS) to assess wasting. Nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene and subsequent sequencing were performed. <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was detected in 51.43% of geckos and 52.17% of enclosures, while 20% exhibited wasting syndrome. BLAST (v. 2.17.0) and phylogenetic analyses identified <i>C. varanii</i>, which showed 100% identity with isolates from leopard geckos in Spain and from snakes in Thailand and China. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated a significant association between <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection and wasting syndrome (OR = 11.15, 95% CI: 1.78-69.98, <i>p</i> = 0.027), with persistent oocyst shedding observed. This study provides new insights into <i>C. varanii</i> infection among leopard gecko breeders in Thailand and highlights the potential for infected breeding stock to disseminate <i>Cryptosporidium</i>, underscoring the need for enhanced awareness, surveillance, and biosecurity measures across Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41514721/
- PMID 40370835 (2025, Frontiers in veterinary science) — ESBL/pAmpC-producing Enterobacterales in common leopard geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) and central bearded dragons (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>) from Portugal.. Abstract (opening): Common leopard geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) and central bearded dragon (<i>Pogona vitticeps</i>) are widely kept as pets but can harbor pathogenic bacteria, including antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. This study aimed to research the frequency of β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in these two reptile species. A total of 132 samples were collected from the oral and cloacal cavities of healthy common leopard geckos and central bearded dragons in the Lisbon area, Portugal. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed for third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistant Enterobacterales. The results revealed that 3GC-resistant Enterobacterales were observed in 17.9% (<i>n</i> = 14/78) of the reptiles. The most commonly identified species were: Citrobacter <i>freundii</i> and <i>Klebsiella aerogenes</i>. Furthermore, some isolates produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC β-lactamases (AmpC) encoding genes such as <i>bla</i> <sub>CMY-2</sub>, <i>bla</i> <sub>CTX-M-15,</sub> and <i>bla</i> <sub>TEM-1</sub>. These findings emphasize the potential role of these reptiles in the spread of AMR bacteria, particularly in urban settings where human- animal interactions are frequent. Given the zoonotic risks, this study emphasizes the importance of continued surveillance and responsible antimicrobial use in both veterinary and human medicine to mitigate the spread of AMR bacteria. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40370835/
- PMID 39468396 (2025, Journal of anatomy) — Bone labeling experiments and intraskeletal growth patterns in captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius).. Abstract (opening): An understanding of the dynamics of bone growth is key to interpreting life-history parameters of vertebrates. In this study, we used fluorochrome labels in captive leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) to track bone growth and intraskeletal variability from embryonic to adult growth stages. Thirteen individuals were administered fluorochromes from pre-hatching to 4 years of age. The left tibia, fibula, femur, humerus, radius, and ulna were examined histologically and compared for differences in the number of labels within and between individuals at each sampled growth stage, and the amount of bone growth between labels was calculated. Results suggest that limb elements had differing growth rates; the fibula grew the fastest per day on average and the femur grew the slowest per day on average. All labels administered in ovo were still present in all limb elements in adults except for the tibia, suggesting growth marks are not lost in most elements and accurate calculations of growth rates could be performed in individuals up to 3 years old. All ex ovo labels were accounted for; however, when two fluorochromes were administered 3 weeks apart, the labels could not be differentiated from each other due to the new bone not being deposited at a quantifiable level. Overall, the tibia in leopard geckos is the least reliable limb bone to use for skeletochronology and the humerus, radius, and fibula preserve the longest growth record. This research highlights that, as in other extinct and extant animals, patterns of bone growth are not consistent across reptiles. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on growth variability in reptiles. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39468396/
- PMID 39841034 (2025, Parasitology) — Passage of <i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i> through the trophic web: an experimental study on reptiles.. Abstract (opening): The rat lungworm <i>Angiostrongylus cantonensis</i> is a zoonotic metastrongyloid nematode, currently considered an emerging pathogen approaching Europe. In tropics and subtropics, it is an important food-borne neurotropic parasite of medical and veterinary importance. Sources of infection for mammals and birds include gastropod intermediate hosts and poikilothermic vertebrates (paratenic hosts). To evaluate the relevance of reptiles in the rat lungworm circulation, we performed an experimental series focused on long-term survival of third stage larvae (L3) of <i>A. cantonensis</i> in reptiles and potential of saurians to serve as a source of infection for further hosts. Twenty leopard geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) were infected with varying doses of L3 (100, 1000, 10 000 larvae per animal). Live L3 were collected from all infected geckos (mostly in musculature and liver) euthanized 1-6 months after the infection and were proven to be infective for Wistar rats (definitive hosts). Three sacrificed geckos were subsequently fed to three corn snakes (<i>Pantheropis guttatus</i>) to test hypothesis of L3 infectivity for predators positioned higher in the food chain. Snakes were euthanized 1 month post-infection and live L3 were detected predominantly in the intestinal wall. The animals remained clinically healthy throughout the study. No reptiles showed significant changes in haematological and biochemical blood parameters, though elevated CK and GLDH were observed in most geckos in the group receiving higher infectious dose. This study highlights the significant potential of reptiles to play a crucial role in the circulation of metastrongyloid nematodes in food web and in their transmission to humans. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39841034/
- PMID 40723477 (2025, Animals : an open access journal from MDPI) — Memory in Leopard Geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) in a Morris Water Maze Task.. Abstract (opening): The spatial orientation of mammals and birds has been intensively studied for many years, but the cognitive mechanism of spatial orientation and memory used by squamates remains poorly understood. Our study evaluated the learning and memory abilities of leopard geckos (<i>Eublepharis macularius</i>) in an adapted Morris water maze. The animals learned during the training phase consisted of 20 trials. To assess long-term memory, we retested geckos twice after several months. The geckos remembered the learned information in a short re-test after two months, but after four months, they required retraining to find the platform. We hypothesise that the duration of memory corresponds with short-term changes in semi-desert environments within one season, while disruption of memory performance after a six-month gap may simulate the more extensive seasonal change in spatial relationships in their natural environment. Moreover, during the winter period, geckos exhibit low activity, which can be connected with decreased frequency of foraging trips. Therefore, the memory loss after four months may reflect the low level of memory jogging. The motivation during the experiment was the crucial parameter of learning and memory processes. In later phases, geckos were less motivated to perform the task. Finally, they relearned the spatial orientation task, but they moved more slowly as the experiment progressed. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723477/
- PMID 39706570 (2025, Cells & development) — The evolutionary origin and mechanism of chordate tail regeneration. An ancient tale?. Abstract (opening): Chordate tail regeneration represents the remarkable ability of some chordates to partially or completely regenerate a significant portion of their primary body axis. In this review we will discuss the chordate regenerative ability, what is known about the cellular sources which contribute to the regenerating tail, how various structures such as the spinal cord and vertebral column are re-established, and how scaling of the regenerating tail is regulated. Finally, we propose that tail regeneration is evolutionarily conserved and is fundamentally different from tail development however the origin and mechanism of this process remain elusive. *[CC BY — Open Access, verbatim with attribution.]*
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39706570/
Source text: pdf-raw/evidence/europepmc_leopard_gecko_nutrition_2026-08-01.txt (Europe PMC first-hand abstracts, pulled 2026-08-01).
License & attribution
Mixed licensing per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3: Open Access (CC BY / CC BY-NC / CC BY-NC-ND) studies are reproduced verbatim with attribution under their specific CC license; non-Open-Access studies are paraphrased as derived fact summaries (numbers and proper nouns preserved, sentences rewritten). Original records:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071922/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42071908/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41514721/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40370835/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39468396/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39841034/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40723477/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39706570/
Cleaning removal log (2026-08-05, codebuddy)
PMID 41717616 — human Salmonella outbreak study (animal-contact related), not leopard gecko PMID 41315395 — subject is avian (birds) GCGR obesity study with human/mouse models; birds are a different class, leopard gecko not named