Click to Skip Ahead
Super Snow Leopard Geckos aren’t actually their own species. They are simply a different coloration from the usual Leopard Gecko. Therefore, they typically require very similar care. If you’ve ever cared for a Leopard Gecko, you should have no trouble caring for this lizard. Even if you’re new to the lizard world, this species is remarkably easy to take care of and a good place for beginners to start.
The Leopard Gecko has been bred in captivity for over 30 years. Most of the ones you find in pet stores are captive-bred, which makes them more adaptable. Many pet owners call these lizards “friendly dinosaurs” due to their laid-back nature.
Quick Facts About the Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko
| Species Name: | Eublepharis macularius |
| Common Name: | Leopard Gecko |
| Care Level: | Low |
| Lifespan: | 10–20 years |
| Adult Size: | 6.5–8 inches |
| Diet: | Live insects |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 20-gallons |
| Temperament & Humidity: | 75–85 degrees F; 30% to 40% humidity |
Do Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko Make Good Pets?
Super Snow Leopard Geckos often make excellent pets, especially for beginners. They are very small and docile. Many can tolerate handling, though that isn’t because they like to be handled. Their care requirements are minimal. You can even leave them alone for several days if you need to.
Out of all the lizards, Super Snows are some of the easiest to take care of. They don’t make any noise or require much attention. Their tank size is often smaller than most other lizards require, and their care needs can be met very cheaply in most cases.
Appearance
Leopard Geckos are a wide-ranging species that comes in many colors. As the name suggests, the Super Snow Leopard Gecko is white with black spots. Females are about 18 to 20 cm long, while males are slightly bigger at 20 to 28 cm. They weigh very little, with males only reaching 80 grams.
Unlike most other lizard species, the Super Snow Leopard Gecko cannot climb smooth vertical walls. Because it lacks lamellae, it doesn’t have the adhesive suction necessary to climb smooth surfaces.
These lizards regrow their teeth every 3 to 4 months. Next to every full-grown tooth is another slightly smaller tooth as a replacement. They have an odontogenic stem cell in their mouth that allows them to regrow their teeth as necessary continuously.
Like many lizards, Leopard Geckos can break off their tails to deter predators. The idea is that the predator will go after the twitching tail instead of the lizard. Their tails are unusually thick and can be used to store food in some circumstances. “Fat” lizards will often have huge tails. If their tail is lost, they can regrow it. However, the new tail is usually stumpy and will never resemble the original one.
How to Take Care of a Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank
At least a 20-gallon tank is recommended for housing one or two Leopard Geckos. Hatchlings can be kept in smaller tanks, but it is often just easier to purchase a larger tank from the beginning. These lizards grow quickly, so they will soon outgrow their smaller, hatchling-size tank.
Larger tanks are not recommended since Leopard Geckos can stray and “get lost.” They may be unable to find their food source and hiding places.
The dimensions of the cage do not matter very much. However, they should be at least a foot tall, and the tank should have a secure top to prevent outside visitors. The top should be a screen that can support a light fixture. A screen will also provide better ventilation, which prevents diseases.
You can add live and decorative plants as necessary, but they aren’t really required.
Lighting
Super Snow Leopard Geckos don’t necessarily need a heating lamp. Heated rocks and similar supplies are not recommended either. They can be too hot for Leopard Geckos, causing burns and similar problems.
A low-wattage viewing light can be used if you have difficulty seeing your lizard. You should only leave it on for a maximum of 12 hours a day. Otherwise, it can disrupt the lizard’s natural sleep cycles. Leopard Geckos are active at night, so they do not need UVB like most other lizards.
Heating
The best way to heat the tank is to use an under-tank heating pad. Heat one end of the tank to allow for temperature differences, which allows your lizard to adjust its temperature as much as possible. The perfect temperature is 88 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit inside the hide box at all times, while the ambient temperature should be about 73 degrees.
Substrate
Leopard Geckos are not very particular about their substrate. They usually do perfectly fine with newspaper, pea gravel, artificial turf, stones, or no flooring at all. We do not recommend sand or other very fine particles, as the lizard can consume them accidentally, causing impaction and similar issues.
You should also avoid potting soils and sands since many contain fertilizers and pesticides that can harm your lizard.
Usually, Leopard geckos will choose to use the bathroom at one corner of their cages. This part must be spot-cleaned, but this can often be accomplished without disrupting the rest of the cage.
| Tank Type | 20-gallon tank with a screen top |
| Lighting | N/A; viewing light optional |
| Heating | Heat pad or tape |
| Best Substrate | Newspaper, artificial turf, stones, pea gravel |
Feeding Your Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko
This species is strictly carnivorous, so they only eat live bugs. They cannot eat plants or veggies, unlike other lizards. The best foods are mealworms and crickets, which provide the most nutrition per calorie. Waxworms and superworms may be provided once a week as treats, but they are often too fatty for daily feeding. They also cannot be fed pinky mice.
All insects should be gut-loaded with a supplement 12 hours before being fed to your lizards. This ensures that your lizard gets the proper nutrients, as they will benefit from whatever the insects have recently eaten. Several commercial insect foods are perfect for this use.
You can also dust the insects with a supplement. Be sure not to get the powder into the gecko’s eyes while feeding them. Many geckos will also lick a mineral supplement if provided in a feeding dish.
Diet Summary
| Fruits | 0% of diet |
| Insects | 100% of diet |
| Meat | 0% of diet |
| Supplements Required | General lizard supplement |
Keeping Your Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko Healthy
With the proper care, Super Snow Leopard Geckos are usually quite healthy. They are one of the easiest species to care for and are not prone to many health issues.
Common Health Problems
Most health problems are diet-related. For instance, malnutrition can be a serious problem if they are not fed properly. Hypovitaminosis A can occur without proper supplementation.
Lifespan
Leopard Geckos can live up to 10 to 20 years in captivity. In the wild, they usually live about 15 years. Be sure you are committed to caring for a lizard for two decades before deciding to adopt one.
Breeding
Female leopard geckos lay a clutch of eggs every 15 to 22 days in a four or five-month period. Females can lay 80 to 100 eggs over their lifetime. If more than one female is present, they will all lay their eggs in the same spot. An egg-laying box should be provided for this purpose.
Breeding is only possible during the breeding season. Males have a mating ritual that involves a tail-vibration routine. Mating only takes two to three minutes, at which time the male can be removed.
Are Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Geckos Friendly? Our Handling Advice
You should not handle your Gecko often, especially right after adoption. Sitting on the floor while handling your lizard is ideal so they don’t fall several feet to the floor. You should never grab them by their tail, or it may fall off.
Shedding & Brumation: What to Expect
Young Leopard Geckos will shed about every week or two. Adults will only shed every one to two months. As long as the lizard has a proper diet, you should not be worried too much about the shedding process.
Brumation is optional, and most geckos in captivity do not experience it.
How Much Do Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Geckos Cost?
Due to their rarer coloration, Super Snow Leopard Geckos usually cost $140 to $350. Their quality and overall appearance play a role in their price.
Super Snow (Mack) Leopard Gecko Pros & Cons
- Docile
- Beautiful colorations
- Takes up little space
- Easy to care for
- Can drop their tails
- More expensive than other Leopard Geckos
- Must be fed live bugs
Final Thoughts
The Super Snow Leopard Gecko has a striking coloration that sets it apart from other members of its species. These lizards are fairly easy to care for and can easily be kept in a 20-gallon tank. They don’t require some of the specialized care that other lizards do, such as UVB and heating lamps.
Super Snow Leopard Geckos are excellent pets for beginners, though their coloration makes them a bit more expensive than other Leopard Geckos.
Featured Image Credit: Safwan Abd Rahman, Shutterstock
