If you’ve ever been captivated by the mesmerizing world of reptiles, the Black Knight Leopard Gecko is sure to be a thrilling addition to your collection.
These unique creatures have gained a special place in the hearts of those who adore the charm of exotic pets. Let’s explore what makes the Black Knight stand out.
Sometimes the geckos are referred to as Black Night and sometimes Black Knight. In this article we will keep to Black Knight, as I think it is cooler, but they are the same animal.
We’ll begin by describing this exotic reptile:
Characteristics of Black Knight Leopard Geckos
The most desirable Black Knights are a sleek and graceful reptile with a pitch-black coat like the night sky. Their skin can vary from being mostly or entirely black to having some patterns on them. I chatted to one of my favorite breeders, Frank from Geeky Gecko Creations, who told me all about how he breeds black knights:
Black Night leopard geckos are a line bred trait that varies in expression from lesser black animals to higher black animals. The original founder from the Netherlands spent over 13 years perfecting this morph just for fun, before he struck a deal with another breeder in the UK to market and sell the morph.
Up until this time around 2015, other melanistic lines had been created and marketed such as carbon, charcoal, and black pearl but none of them maintained their darkness as thoroughly as the black night line, so when the black night line came to market the other melanistic lines fell by the wayside of interest in people’s minds.
It is often critiqued that black night is a very inbred trait, meaning the creator used closely related animals to achieve this consistent level of darkness, and well, this does seem to be the case. Black nights have a few side effects due to their heavily inbred genome.
1) 15-20% smaller mass than normal leopard geckos
2) Short faces, kinked tails, overbites more frequently than normal leopard geckos
3) 50% lower fertility rate in females than normal leopard geckos
Although these effects are not expressed in every black night I would say the more you inbreed them (parents to offspring and offspring to offspring) the more you will see these cases. It is worth mentioning that black nights are already a heavily inbred line so selecting a gecko from one end of the world and another gecko from another end of the world would still give you two geckos that most likely share a similar genetic past unless you can get confirmation of outcrossing that took place from the breeder.
What do Black Knight Geckos look like?
One of the most intriguing features of the Black Knight Leopard Gecko is its deep black coloration, which sets it apart from other leopard gecko morphs.
This jet-black hue gives them a mysterious, charm.
Unlike many other gecko species with intricate patterns, Black Knight’s are often patternless, boasting a smooth and unblemished appearance.
This unique trait adds to their visual appeal, making them even more of a favorite among those who are enchanted by these captivating creatures.
Size and Lifespan
Black knights typically grow to be around six to seven inches long as adults. Furthermore, they come with the promise of companionship for quite a while, with a life expectancy ranging from 15 to 20 years. They are generally a little bit smaller than other leopard gecko breeds, so it is important to make sure your gecko is healthy when you buy it.
Color Morphs of Black Knight Leopard Geckos
The Black Knight is a relatively new and rare morph of leopard gecko, so there are not as many color morphs as there are for other, more common morphs.
However, there are a few different color morphs of Black Knight Leopard Geckos that are starting to become more available.
Solid Black
This is the rarest and most sought-after color morph of the Black Knight Leopard Gecko. Solid Black Black Knight Leopard Geckos have a completely black body with no spots or patterns.
High Black
High Black Black Knight Leopard Geckos have a very dark coloration, but they may have some faint spots or patterns. They are still considered to be very rare and valuable.
Black Knight Mack Snow
This color morph is a cross between the Black Knight and the Mack Snow Leopard Gecko. Black Knight Mack Snow Leopard Geckos have a very light base color with dark spots or patterns.
Black Knight Eclipse
This color morph is a cross between the Black Knight and the Eclipse Leopard Gecko. Black Knight Eclipse Leopard Geckos have a very dark coloration with faint spots or patterns.
Black Knight Hypo
This color morph is a cross between the Black Knight and the Hypomelanistic Leopard Gecko. Black Knight Hypo Leopard Geckos have a lighter coloration than other Black Knight Leopard Geckos, but they still have a dark base color with spots or patterns.
These are just a few of the color morphs of Black Knight Leopard Geckos that are starting to become available. As breeders continue to work with this morph, we will likely see even more color morphs in the future.
Frank at Geeky Gecko Creations is an expert in breeding different types of Leopard Gecko, and Black Nights are one of his specialities. One of the issues with black knight breeding is the gene pool is getting small, as customers wanted fully black geckos. Frank is passionate about breeding healthy geckos, and this is how he does it:
My personal project and experience breeding black night leopard geckos. In my photograph here with the two solid black leopard geckos, these are actually only 75% original line black nights. I have a term for this, I call it the second generation cross back, meaning the grandparents were a 100% black night bred to a non black night creating 50% black nights. Then I would take those 50% black nights and breed them back to a 100% black night, thus getting 75% black nights.
Now, a lot of people think you need 100% to make a pitch black animal, I can tell you from experience, breeding two pitch black animals together will not yield a higher % of black night offspring that are pitch black. I would say the % is about the same as breeding a 100% black night to a 50% black night, except when you make 75% black nights they are bigger, stronger, and healthier animals. I highly encourage anyone breeding black nights to take this approach to creating a more diverse set of DNA in the black night project.
In this photograph you can see me holding four black night leopard geckos, all are 75% original line DNA black nights and you can see the variance in darkness. This effect also happens with 100% black nights, except with 100% black nights you will have more of the issues mentioned above health wise. You can see in this photo all the 75% animals are much more robust and healthy than you would typically see in 100% black night offspring.
Captive Care for a Black Knight Leopard Gecko
Bringing a Black Knight Leopard Gecko into your home is great fun! Black Knights have basically the same needs as any leopard gecko.
These geckos are captivating, and to ensure they thrive as pets, you’ll need to create an environment that suits their needs.
Housing Requirements for a Pet Black Knight Leopard Gecko
Your Black Knight’s home is more than just a terrarium; it’s their kingdom. Here’s how to set up the perfect palace for your regal gecko:
Terrarium Size: A 20-gallon tank is ideal for a single gecko. If you plan to house more, increase the size accordingly. Space is essential for physical activities and environmental management.
Lighting and Heating: Provide an overhead basking light to simulate the day-night cycle. Maintain a temperature gradient in the tank with one side at around 90°F and the other at 75°F. Geckos are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
Humidity Control: Keep relative humidity levels between 30% and 40%. Black Knight Leopard Geckos are desert dwellers and require a relatively dry environment. High humidity can lead to respiratory and skin issues.
Substrate: Avoid sand as it poses a risk of impaction and digestive blockage. Opt for safer alternatives like paper towels, fiber-based material, or reptile carpets.
Hiding Spots: Ensure there are hiding spots on both the warm and cool sides of the enclosure. Geckos need to feel secure and have a place to retreat.
Cleanliness: Regularly clean the tank to prevent the growth of fungi, algae, or bacteria. Remove feces and uneaten insects promptly.
Diet and Health Care Needs for Pet Black Knight Leopard Geckos
Feeding Schedule: Feed your gecko 2-3 times a week. Offer 4-7 appropriately-sized crickets or roaches per meal. Dust these insects with a calcium supplement containing vitamin D3 once a week.
Variety Matters: While crickets and roaches are staples, introduce variety with worms such as waxworms, mealworms, superworms, and silkworms. Use these as occasional treats due to their higher fat content.
Proper Sizing: Ensure the size of the feeders doesn’t exceed the width of your gecko’s eyes. Geckos have small, thin intestines, and overfeeding can lead to digestive issues.
Hydration: Provide a water dish with spring water and a reptile-safe water conditioner. Occasional misting can slightly raise humidity levels.
Shedding Assistance: If your gecko experiences difficulty shedding, offer a couple of sprays to help remove old skin.
Common Illnesses Found in Captive Pet Black Knight Leopard Geckos
While these geckos are known for their hardy nature, certain health issues can arise in captivity:
Impaction: Ingestion of indigestible materials can lead to impaction, causing digestive blockages. Maintain a clean tank to minimize this risk.
Dehydration: Inadequate diet and low humidity levels can result in dehydration. Ensure water availability and humidity in the tank.
Respiratory Infections: Incorrect tank temperatures can lead to respiratory issues. Keep the daytime temperature between 80-90°F and nighttime temperatures between 67-74°F.
Metabolic Bone Disorder (MBD): This condition arises due to a lack of vitamin D3 and calcium. Strengthen your gecko’s bones with calcium supplements containing vitamin D3.
Wild Black Knight Leopard Geckos
In the wild, these geckos display fascinating behaviors shaped by their environment. Let’s journey into the habitats, diets, and breeding habits of wild Black Knight Leopard Geckos.
Natural Habitat for Wild Black Knight Leopard Geckos
In the arid, rocky landscapes of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, northern India, and western Iraq, you’ll find the native domains of wild Leopard Geckos.
These geckos are experts at adapting to harsh environments. Their mountainous deserts and rocky grasslands offer the ideal backdrop for their unique survival strategies.
Diets and Behaviors in the Wild
Wild Black Knight Leopard Geckos don’t appear naturally in the wild, but they are opportunistic hunters. Their diet primarily consists of insects, making them insectivores, but they won’t shy away from a juicy cricket or worm when the opportunity arises.
Here are some behaviors you might observe in their natural habitat:
Nocturnal Prowess: Leopard Geckos are night owls, preferring to stay active during the cooler hours of the night and seeking refuge during the day to escape the scorching sun.
Stealthy Predators: Their dark, sleek appearance provides excellent camouflage among the rocks and sandy terrain, allowing them to stalk prey unnoticed.
Territorial Residents: While they aren’t fiercely territorial, Leopard Geckos do establish territories for foraging. They may interact with neighbors, especially during breeding seasons.
Breeding Habits in the Wild
Reproduction in the wild is an interesting aspect of Leopard Geckos’ lives. Breeding habits are shaped by the seasonal changes in their environment.
Here’s a glimpse of their courtship and mating rituals:
Courtship Dance: Males engage in subtle displays to court females, often accompanied by soft calls. They might sway or bob their heads, demonstrating their suitability as mates.
Egg-Laying Ritual: After successful mating, females lay eggs in concealed locations. They produce about five clutches per breeding season, with each clutch containing two eggs on average.
Gender Determination: Temperature plays a unique role in determining the gender of the hatchlings. Hotter incubation temperatures typically yield male geckos, while colder temperatures result in females.
Final Words
This simple guide has unveiled the captivating realm of these exotic reptiles, exploring their characteristics, morphs, and the care they need to thrive in captivity. We’ve also delved into their wild behaviors, shedding light on their natural habitat and breeding habits.
Whether you’re already a proud owner of a Black Knight Leopard Gecko or aspire to be one, these captivating creatures are sure to make a lasting impression. Their charm, elegance, and unique traits have solidified their place in the world of exotic pets
Teddy is the founder and lead writer of ReptilesLife. Teddy has loved animals since a really young age, starting with dinosaurs of course! He writes here to help other reptile owners to care for their scaly pets.
