Leopard geckos and crested geckos are the most commonly kept geckos, with welfare requirements that are better understood than most reptiles but still frequently unmet.
Leopard geckos require thermal gradients, hideaways and live insect prey for good welfare — these requirements are well documented but frequently ignored by casual keepers who receive inadequate guidance at point of sale. Crested geckos in vivariums with inadequate humidity and complexity show locomotion restriction and dehydration. The relative hardiness of both species compared to other reptiles means welfare deficiencies persist for longer before becoming medically apparent.