One of the most common problems, albeit one that is well discussed among gecko enthusiasts, is that of impaction. Impaction occurs when a gecko eats the substrate it lives on, and over times builds up causing major internal problems. The substrate is often ingested when eating. They will sometimes miss when hunting, and will then eat the substrate.

The leopard gecko is typically a cream to yellow color, with black spots similar to those of a leopard. However, selective breeding in captivity has produced varying colorations, including high yellow, tangerine, lavender, blizzard (solid white or gray), and albino. Atypical patterns include striped and patternless (no spots or stripes) varieties. The typical total length is 6 to 11 inches, with some captive specimens exceeding 11 inches.