Do Leopard Geckos have teeth?

Jul 18, 2023 | Others, Pets

Do Leopard Geckos have teeth
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Do Leopard Geckos Have Teeth? 7 Surprising Facts About Gecko Teeth and Bites (2026)

Do leopard geckos have teeth? Yes. Leopard geckos have about 100 tiny, cone-shaped teeth lining their upper and lower jaws, and they replace them throughout life. Researchers found that a new tooth takes roughly 3 to 4 months to form and push out the old one. The teeth are built for gripping insects, so a gecko bite is usually mild.

Most owners never see their pet gecko’s teeth, because they are very small and sit close to the jaw. This guide answers “do leopard geckos have teeth” in full: how many they have, how they replace them, whether a bite hurts, mouth problems to watch for, and how diet and lighting keep a gecko’s jaws healthy.

Key takeaways: 7 facts

  • Leopard geckos have teeth: roughly 100 small, functional teeth in young animals.
  • They are polyphyodont, meaning they replace teeth again and again through life.
  • Each replacement tooth takes about 3 to 4 months to develop and erupt.
  • More than 150 replacement teeth can be developing at the same time in one juvenile.
  • Bites are rare and usually not painful, but wash your hands afterward.
  • Gray or cheesy material in the mouth can be a sign of mouth rot, which needs a vet.
  • Calcium, vitamin D3 and correct lighting help prevent soft, weak jaws.

Do Leopard Geckos Have Teeth? The Short Answer

Yes, and they have plenty. Unlike people, who get only two sets of teeth, a leopard gecko keeps growing new ones for life. The table below sums up what science and veterinary sources say.

Question Answer
Do leopard geckos have teeth? Yes, along both upper and lower jaws
How many? About 100 functional teeth in juveniles
What do they look like? Tiny and cone-shaped, hard to see without magnification
Do they fall out? Yes, and they are replaced throughout life
How long does a new tooth take? About 3 to 4 months to form and erupt
Do they chew? They grip and crush insects; they do not chew like mammals
Does a bite hurt? Bites are rare and usually not painful

Tooth figures come from University of British Columbia research published in Development (2010); bite information from WebMD.

Do leopard geckos have teeth: close-up of a leopard gecko face
A leopard gecko’s tiny teeth sit close along the jaw and are rarely visible. Photo: Andy Holmes / Unsplash.

How Many Teeth Do Leopard Geckos Have?

A University of British Columbia study by Handrigan, Leung and Richman, published in the journal Development in 2010, describes juvenile leopard geckos as having about 100 erupted teeth along the edges of the jaws. Behind those working teeth sit many more teeth in different stages of growth. The researchers estimated that a single juvenile can have 150 or more replacement teeth developing at once.

The teeth are arranged in “tooth families”: each working tooth has younger teeth forming behind it, ready to take its place. This is why the question “do leopard geckos have teeth” has a bigger answer than most owners expect. At any moment, a gecko’s jaw holds both the teeth it is using and the teeth it will use next.

Why you rarely see them

Even owners who already know the answer to “do leopard geckos have teeth” rarely spot them. Leopard gecko teeth are tiny, closely packed and sit along the inside edge of the jaw. Most owners only notice them in close-up photos or if a gecko gives a gentle nip. That small size also explains why gecko bites rarely do more than surprise you.

How Leopard Gecko Teeth Are Replaced

If you are asking “do leopard geckos have teeth for life?”, the answer is yes. Animals that replace teeth many times are called polyphyodont. Leopard geckos are a well-studied example, and they are used in research because their teeth renew “continuously throughout life,” as the 2010 Development paper puts it.

Stage What happens
1. New tooth starts A replacement tooth begins forming on the inner side of the working tooth
2. Growth It develops over roughly 3 to 4 months
3. Shedding The old tooth is pushed out and lost
4. Eruption The new tooth takes its place, and the cycle repeats

Scientists think this lifelong supply comes from stem-like cells in a band of tissue called the dental lamina. The 2010 study found slow-dividing cells there that carry markers linked to stem cells in mammals, though the authors noted this still needed confirmation.

What happens if a gecko loses a tooth?

Losing a tooth is a normal part of the cycle. In a 2021 study in Frontiers in Physiology, Brink and colleagues removed teeth from adult leopard geckos under controlled conditions and found the teeth began to reform within a month and had nearly recovered by 2 to 3 months. Because replacement is constant, you are unlikely to notice a gap in your gecko’s smile.

Do Leopard Gecko Bites Hurt?

Because leopard geckos have teeth, many new owners worry about bites. A WebMD guide to leopard geckos says they rarely bite, and that when they do, the bite is not painful. It also notes that too much handling can stress them, and that grabbing a gecko by its tail can make it drop the tail as a defense.

Why a leopard gecko might bite

Bites are usually a reaction, not aggression. Common triggers include:

  • Feeding mistakes: Fingers that smell like insects can look like food.
  • Fear: Being grabbed from above can feel like a predator attack.
  • Stress: New geckos may need time to settle before handling.
  • Territory: WebMD notes that housing geckos separately is generally better, especially males.

What to do if your gecko bites

  1. Stay calm and keep your hand still; pulling away can startle the gecko.
  2. Let the gecko let go on its own. Most release quickly.
  3. Wash the area with soap and water.
  4. Watch for redness, swelling or warmth, and see a doctor if it appears.

Hand washing matters for another reason. The CDC warns that reptiles can carry Salmonella even when they look healthy, and advises washing hands with soap and water after touching a reptile or anything in its habitat. It does not recommend reptiles for homes with children under 5.

Pet Care Tip: Use feeding tongs or a dish for insects, and wash your hands before handling. This simple habit teaches your gecko that hands are not food, and it cuts down on accidental nips.

Mouth and Jaw Problems in Leopard Geckos

The answer to “do leopard geckos have teeth” also explains why their mouths can get sick: like other lizards, they have teeth set in gums and jawbone, so problems can start there. Two of the most important are mouth rot and metabolic bone disease.

Mouth rot (infectious stomatitis)

The Merck Veterinary Manual describes infectious stomatitis in lizards as starting with small red spots in the mouth, then cheesy material building up along the tooth rows. Severe cases can spread into the jawbone. Bacteria that normally live in the mouth are often involved, and treatment needs a vet, including cleaning the infected tissue and antibiotics, along with correct husbandry.

Metabolic bone disease and soft jaws

WikiVet explains that metabolic bone disease (MBD), the most common disease in captive lizards, comes from too little calcium combined with a lack of vitamin D3 or UVB light. Signs include lethargy, trouble lifting the body, poor appetite and soft, swollen or deformed bones, including soft lower jaws. A weak jaw makes it hard for a gecko to grip and eat insects.

Warning sign Possible cause What to do
Red spots or swelling in the mouth Early mouth rot Book a reptile vet visit
Cheesy, yellow or gray material along the teeth Mouth rot See a vet promptly
Soft, rubbery or misshapen jaw Metabolic bone disease See a vet; review calcium and lighting
Refusing food or dropping insects Mouth pain, illness or low heat Check temperatures; call your vet
Tremors or weakness Severe calcium problem Urgent vet care

Based on the Merck Veterinary Manual and WikiVet. Signs can overlap, so let a reptile vet decide.

When to call a vet right away: Tremors, seizures, a swollen or soft jaw, pus or cheesy material in the mouth, or a gecko that stops eating and becomes weak needs prompt care from a vet who treats reptiles. If your vet is closed, call a 24/7 emergency animal hospital that sees exotic pets.

Keeping Your Leopard Gecko’s Mouth and Jaws Healthy

Knowing the answer to “do leopard geckos have teeth” is only half the job. The other half is keeping those teeth and jaws strong with good food, heat and supplements.

  • Feed the right insects: WebMD recommends crickets and dubia roaches as staples, with mealworms and waxworms as occasional treats.
  • Dust with calcium: VCA Animal Hospitals advises dusting insects with calcium powder and gut-loading them for at least 24 hours before feeding.
  • Get heat right: VCA suggests a cage temperature in the mid-80s °F with safe heat sources, and warns against hot rocks, which can burn.
  • Ask about UVB and D3: Talk to your vet about the right vitamin D3 and lighting setup for your gecko.
  • Keep it clean: Remove uneaten insects and clean water dishes daily.

For a quick look at how leopard geckos compare with other small pets, see our guides to easy pets to take care of and cool pets to have in your room.

7 questions to ask your reptile vet

  1. Do my gecko’s teeth and gums look healthy?
  2. Is its jaw firm and well shaped?
  3. Which calcium and D3 supplements should I use, and how often?
  4. Does my gecko need UVB lighting?
  5. Are my enclosure temperatures correct?
  6. Is my gecko at a healthy weight?
  7. How often should it have a checkup?

Example Scenario (illustrative)

Emma in Seattle wonders “do leopard geckos have teeth?” after her gecko, Mango, gives a gentle nip during feeding. It barely registers, but she washes her hands and switches to feeding tongs. At Mango’s next checkup, the vet confirms his teeth and jaw look healthy and adjusts his calcium routine.

Common mistake Why it matters Better approach
Pulling away during a bite Can startle the gecko or hurt its mouth Stay still until it lets go
Skipping calcium dusting Raises the risk of soft jaws and MBD Dust insects as your vet advises
Worrying about a lost tooth Tooth loss is part of normal replacement Watch for mouth swelling instead
Grabbing the gecko by the tail It may drop its tail Scoop gently from below

What most owners get wrong

Many owners ask “do leopard geckos have teeth?” only after a bite, then worry about the bite and miss the bigger point. A healthy mouth depends far more on calcium, vitamin D3, heat and clean food than on the teeth themselves. Get the setup right and the teeth take care of themselves.

Do Leopard Geckos Have Teeth? FAQs

How many teeth does a leopard gecko have?

About 100 working teeth in juveniles, with more than 150 replacement teeth developing at once, according to 2010 research in Development.

Do leopard geckos lose their teeth?

Yes. They shed and replace teeth throughout life, and each new tooth takes about 3 to 4 months to come in.

Do leopard gecko bites hurt?

Rarely. WebMD notes that leopard geckos seldom bite and the bite is not painful. Wash your hands afterward.

Do leopard geckos chew their food?

Not like mammals. They use their small teeth to grip and crush insects before swallowing.

Do all geckos have teeth?

Most geckos have small teeth used to grip prey, though tooth shape and number vary between species.

What does mouth rot look like in a gecko?

Red spots, swelling or cheesy material along the teeth. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes it needs veterinary treatment.

How long do leopard geckos live?

VCA notes they can live 10 to 15 years with good care, so their teeth keep renewing for a long time.

Final Verdict: Do Leopard Geckos Have Teeth?

Do leopard geckos have teeth? Yes: about 100 tiny teeth that are replaced throughout life, with each new tooth taking roughly 3 to 4 months to come in. Bites are rare and mild. Protect your gecko’s mouth with calcium-dusted insects, correct heat, a vet-guided D3 and lighting plan, and prompt care for any swelling.

Your next steps

  1. Check your calcium supplement and enclosure temperatures this week.
  2. Thinking about a first reptile? Read our guide to low-maintenance pets for beginners.
  3. Explore more reptile guides in our reptiles section.

Share photos of your gecko with other keepers on our Pets Store Home Facebook page.

About the author: Written and reviewed by the Pets Store Home Editorial Team, a group of pet owners and animal lovers who check every guide against trusted US veterinary and scientific sources. This article is general information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Always talk to a vet who treats reptiles about your own pet’s health.

How we checked this guide: Tooth numbers and replacement timing come from peer-reviewed research in Development (2010) and Frontiers in Physiology (2021). Bite and feeding information comes from WebMD and VCA Animal Hospitals, mouth rot from the Merck Veterinary Manual, metabolic bone disease from WikiVet, and hygiene advice from the CDC. We review this article every 12 months, or sooner if guidance changes.

Last reviewed: October 2026.