Mack Snow Leopard Gecko: A Complete Care Guide

Mack Snow Leopard Gecko—Breed Overview

Mack Snow Leopard gecko is not a different species; in fact, it is just a variation of the common Leopard gecko. Anyone who has ever owned a Leopard gecko would know how easy it is to care for this creature. Almost all of these geckos are being bred in captivity, and this has been a common practice for more than 30 years. But how does a Mack Snow Leopard gecko get its name? What is the origin of this unique lizard?

Let’s read in more detail about this exotic creature and its origin.

Origin of a Mack Snow Leopard Gecko

Scientifically known as Eublepharis Macularius, this Leopard gecko originated in the deserts and rocky grasslands of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and north-west India. These geckos remain hidden under rocks during the day. They come out in the early morning hours and in the evening to hunt, bask, and socialize with other geckos.

The Mack Snow Leopard gecko was first bred by John and Amy Mack from Reptiles by Mack.

They found some hatchlings resembling Snow hatchlings instead of being like normal hatchlings. These morphs were further classified as Super Snow, Mack Snow, and Normal.

Mack Snow Leopard Gecko—At a Glance

Appearance, Size, and Weight

As we know a Mack Snow is a morph of a Leopard gecko, it can be found in a couple of color combinations, either white or pale yellow with dark color spots on its body. These geckos are small, their females measuring around 18 – 20 cm while their males are 20 – 28 cm in total length. They weigh around 80 grams in total.

Mack Snow geckos have an unusual feature—they can regrow their teeth. They have a small tooth beside every full-grown tooth. This becomes possible because of the odontogenic stem cell present in their mouth.

They have a fat tail, which is also used for fat storage. This fat is then used in the days when they don’t have access to food, enabling them to live without food for some time. They can also detach their tails to save themselves from a predator. A predator is being distracted by the wiggling tail, and in the meanwhile, a gecko can run to hide.

They can also regrow their tails, but mostly that new tail is different than the original one.

Habitat and Substrate

If you are housing one leopard gecko, you would need a 10-gallon tank. However, for housing more geckos, you should at least get a 20-gallon terrarium with multiple hiding places. The best grouping order can be all females and one male. If there are more male geckos, house them separately to avoid fighting.

For the substrate, you can use reptile carpet, reptile sand, or coconut fiber. To decorate their tank, you can use non-poisonous plants, logs, small tree branches, cork bark, and also caves for hiding. To help them shed healthily and to keep them well-hydrated, you can put a damp sphagnum moss inside their caves.

Just like Leopard geckos, the Mack Snow geckos are also nocturnal. So, they need around 10 – 12 hours of light during the daytime. They don’t need UVB during the nighttime.

The temperature of the warmer area of the tank should be maintained at around 85 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cooler area should be maintained between 80 – 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

At night, however, the temperatures should be brought down to 70 degrees. The humidity level of the tank should be kept low, around 30% – 40%.

Do They Make Good Pets?

Mack Snow Leopard gecko is known for its friendly and docile nature. This gecko makes a good pet and is a perfect option for beginners. Mack Snow geckos are easy to handle and don’t need much attention. They are not noisy and can do well with minimal care. They can also be left alone for some days. All these qualities make a Mack Snow Leopard gecko a good pet.

Care should be taken to not handle them excessively. If you do have to hold them, it is better to do so while you are sitting to avoid dropping them on the floor. Also, never hold them by their tail as they can detach their tails. By doing so, you may frighten them and make them drop their tail.

How Much Does a Mack Snow Leopard Gecko Cost?

Mack Snow Leopard geckos are unique and rare geckos. Due to this, it is usually costly. A Mack Snow will cost you around $140 – $350. Its friendly nature, unique appearance, and easy maintenance make it everyone’s favorite, which in turn adds to its price.  

Do they Shed?

Yes, they do. A young Mack Snow Leopard gecko will shed once a week or in two weeks. An adult gecko only sheds once a month or in two months. Shedding is a natural process for these geckos, and you need not worry about it.

Diet Requirements

Unlike some geckos, which can eat a variety of foods, a Mack Snow Leopard gecko is purely carnivorous—they only consume live insects and bugs. They cannot consume other sources of food, like plants or vegetables. The best diet for a Mack Snow includes cricket and mealworms. They should also be given waxworms or super worms but in moderation. Feeding treats too often can become too fattening for them.

12 hours before you feed your gecko, gut-load the insects with a supplement. This way, your gecko will get proper nutrients, and they will be healthy. There are different insect foods commercially manufactured that are specifically made by keeping a gecko’s health in mind.

You can also put the powdered supplement in a feeding dish inside a tank. A gecko will lick it according to its body’s requirements.

Predator Foods

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Pros and Cons of Keeping a Mack Snow Leopard Gecko

Although we know these geckos make good pets, there are certain things that need to be considered before you bring home a Mack Snow Leopard gecko.

Below we have listed down some pros and cons of keeping this species of geckos.

Let’s check them out.

Pros of Keeping a Mack Snow Leopard Gecko

• They are docile and friendly.
• These geckos have a unique and colorful appearance.
• They are small and don’t need too much space.
• They are low-maintenance geckos and don’t need much attention.

Cons of Keeping a Mack Snow Leopard Gecko

• These geckos can be expensive to keep.
• They can detach their tails, which makes them sensitive to handling.
• As they are carnivorous, they should only be fed live bugs.

Health Issues and Life Span

Generally, a Mack Snow Leopard gecko is a healthy gecko. It doesn’t face a lot of health-related issues. Some health problems they may face are mostly related to their diet. If they are not provided with a proper and nutritious diet, they may end up malnourished. Malnutrition can also result in Hypovitaminosis A in these geckos.

A Mack Snow Leopard is known to live for 10 – 20 years in captivity. In the wild, however, they can live up to 15 years. Thus, bringing a leopard gecko to your home needs commitment. If you are planning to own a leopard gecko, keep in mind it is going to be with you for a decade or two.

How to Keep Your Mack Snow Leopard Gecko Happy?

As mentioned earlier, these geckos are low-maintenance and don’t need much attention. By providing it with proper food, suitable living conditions, and a place to hide, your gecko will thrive and be happy. They can also be left alone for some days; just make sure they have access to food and clean water. 

Conclusion

A Mack Snow Leopard gecko is known as a friendly and docile gecko. They are best for beginners who don’t have any experience in handling reptiles or geckos. Due to their small size and low-maintenance needs, they are liked by many. They also have a unique appearance and are popular for their color variations. With proper care, a nutritious diet, and comfortable living conditions, these geckos can live up to 20 years.

So, to own a Mack Snow, you should be committed to looking after it for at least two decades.