Do leopard geckos lose their tails and if so, why does this happen?

Yes, leopard geckos can lose their tails in a process called autotomy. This happens as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened or are in danger. The tail will detach easily from the gecko's body, allowing it to escape from predators while the tail continues to wiggle, distracting the predator. The gecko can later regenerate a new tail, although it may not look exactly the same as the original.