Common name: Mack Snow Black Knight Leopard Gecko
Scientific name: Eublepharis macularius
Origin of species: Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Iran (dry rocky grasslands)
Size: 8–10 inches (adult)
Weight: 50–80 g (males typically larger)
Lifespan: 15–20+ years in captivity
Mack Snow: A co-dominant morph that hatches with a lighter (whitish/gray) base color instead of bright yellow. Adults often stay cooler in tone, with more muted or pastel hues.
Black Knight: A selectively bred line of melanistic leopard geckos with extremely dark, almost jet-black coloration. One of the rarest and most expensive morphs.
When combined, you get a Mack Snow Black Knight:
A leopard gecko with very dark overall coloring, often charcoal to jet black, but with the cool undertones from Mack Snow genetics.
Some retain faint spotting/striping, while others look nearly solid black.
Personality: Calm, generally docile, like most leopard geckos
Handling: Easy to handle with patience, though Black Knights can sometimes be slightly more defensive due to selective breeding lines
Behavior: Nocturnal/crepuscular; prefers hiding during the day and exploring at night
Enclosure: 20-gallon long tank minimum for one adult (larger preferred)
Substrate: Reptile carpet, slate tile, packed soil mix, or paper towel for easy cleaning (avoid loose sand for young geckos)
Temperature:
Warm side (basking surface): 88–92°F
Cool side: 75–80°F
Night: ~70–75°F
Humidity: Low (30–40%) with a humid hide to aid shedding
Lighting: Not UVB-dependent but low-level UVB is beneficial for long-term health
Decor: Multiple hides (warm, cool, moist), rocks, logs, climbing options
Type: Insectivore
Staple foods: Crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae
Occasional treats: Silkworms, hornworms, mealworms, superworms, waxworms (very fatty)
Supplements:
Calcium with D3 (every feeding for juveniles, every other for adults)
Multivitamins (weekly)
Feeding schedule:
Juveniles: daily
Adults: every 2–3 days
