Like many lizards, the leopard gecko has a tail which breaks off readily when grabbed by a predator. One of the most notable traits about leopard geckos, which has led to their great popularity, is their unusually gentle disposition. Leopards in captivity appear to recognize their keepers, and are at times content to sit on a shoulder for hours. It takes a significant amount of provoking before a leopard gecko will bite. Leopard geckos are found in southern Asia, in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq.
Leopard geckos inhabit arid regions, particularly rocky deserts and sparse grasslands.
They avoid sandy deserts. They are strictly nocturnal, keeping out of the heat of the day, emerging at night from holes and crevices to hunt for food. In the wild they mainly feed on a variety of insects, including scorpions, but will also eat other lizards. These animals often live in loose colonies. Leopard geckos are seldom found off of the ground.