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Lined gecko
- Gekko vittatus
Origin: Indonesian , New Guinea , Palau and the Solomon Islands
Gender: Gekko
Life expectancy: 15 - 20 years in captivity
Length: 20 - 25 cm.
Gecko arborícola big size and nice design. This type of gecko also has the advantage of being totally docile when handling it.
Content
Description
The Lined gecko is a slender representative of the genus Gekko, which can reach a length of up to 30 cm.. The tail represents just over half. But, numerous individuals are fully developed with a length of about 25 cm..
Due to the slender body and narrow head, the extremities, and especially the fingers and toes, appear larger. The white stripe that runs from the base of the tail to the back of the head, where it divides and reaches the sides of the eyes, It is characteristic and very striking. This strip is responsible for its trivial name. The original queue, on the other hand, has white transverse bands. A regenerated tail no longer shows this transverse band.
Dorsal coloration is usually yellowish-brown, but there are also individuals of slightly greenish yellow or reddish and dark brown color. Specimens with two longitudinal stripes are also known., just a very faint stripe and also without any streaks.
Distribution and habitat
Indonesian, east of Java through numerous islands such as Halmahera, in New Guinea to Oceania.
Way of life
The Lined gecko, of night activity, prefers to live in trees, Palm trees, pandanus and banana plants in his native country, but in many regions it can also be found as a cultural follower in houses and cabins.
The Lined gecko in captivity
The Lined gecko is easy to preserve, provided that one or two important points are taken into account.
Terrarium
The terrarium must be taller than it is wide, since it is an arboreal species. 80 x 50 x 100 cm. (width x depth x height) is enough for a couple of Lined gecko. Walls must be coated, for example, of natural cork. Some cork tubes provide the necessary hiding places. The necessary increase in humidity is achieved by spraying several times a day. One plant (for example, Scindapsus) complete the assembly.
There should also be a large bowl of water, or better a small part of water or a waterfall in the terrarium.
Substrate:
Use a white peat mixture (without fertilizer) and plantation land, of about 10 height cm. To avoid stagnation of water at the bottom of the terrarium, use a layer of clay balls.
Illumination
It is debatable whether ultraviolet light is necessary for the Lined gecko, but it won't do you any harm. Temperatures should be 24-28°C during the day, with sunny spots up to 35°C, and drop to 20-22°C at night. Humidity should oscillate between 70-90% during the day, which can be easily achieved with a daily spray (morning and evening) and through the water section. To check these parameters, use a thermometer and hygrometer.
Diet
The diet of the Lined gecko is based on insects. Easily accepts all kinds of insects: crickets, cockroaches, lobsters, worms, … It is important to vary your diet. This prevents your Gecko get bored, but above all it provides you with all the necessary nutrients.
You should always make sure to give to your Gecko a prey adapted to its size.
Last, from time to time, it is advisable to supplement your diet with calcium and vitamins, to avoid any shortcomings. This is especially important for the growth of Geckos juveniles.
Breeding and reproduction
with a good brood, the reproduction of animals does itself. the female may lay one or two eggs several times a year, that can be left in the terrarium. The pups are born after about 100 to 120 days and can stay in the terrarium up to a size of some 15 cm..
The pups usually look the same as the parents., in some populations they show white spots on the head. Only the tail is slightly darker, so that the transverse white bands appear brighter and thus have a signaling effect. When parents approach, wag their tail to avoid being accidentally eaten by them. Keeping them in a group is only possible with young animals until they reach sexual maturity.. As soon as they are adults, you have to take them out of the terrarium, otherwise they can be attacked by parents.
For sale Lined gecko
The price of a Lined gecko in the exotic animal market ranges from 40 and 50 EUR.
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Cameroon dwarf gecko
- Lygodactylus conraui
Origin: West Africa and Central Africa
Gender: Lygodactylus
Life expectancy: 5 - 8 years
Length: 6 - 8 cm.
Extraordinary arboreal dwarf lizard that will soon replace those already only very rarely seen in terrariums Electric blue gecko, with which it keeps quite similar.
Content
Description
In normal coloration, the background color is composed of different shades of gray. From the nostril, a black stripe runs along the muzzle, passing through the eye to the back of the head, where it merges with a lighter dorsal line at the nape. This one runs slightly to the side of the back to the tail. From the nape of the neck, the whole body, except for limbs, is dotted with white spots of irregular size. These can be delimited by a thin black line. The largest spots line up in three longitudinal lines, that run along the center of the back and the lighter dorsal lines.
When you are in a good mood, skin glows bluish-green. The belly and throat are a solid light gray to white. The original queue, in the male, is reddish at the bottom. On the other hand, the regenerated tails are featureless gray and do not show any reddish coloration after their total loss. But, regenerated tails may still show red bottom. Male geckos have a total length of 63 mm, while females are much smaller.
The sexes can be easily distinguished by the usual sexual characteristics.. Males are always larger, show distinct hemipen pockets and have four active preanal pores.
Distribution and habitat
The Cameroon dwarf gecko, scientific name Lygodactylus conraui, It is native to the tropical primary forests of Cameroon., Ghana, Togo, Gabon, Benin and Ivory Coast. It lives there mainly hidden in tree trunks, close to the ground. No further usable information on the natural habitat of the Cameroon dwarf gecko.
The Cameroon dwarf gecko in captivity
The Cameroon dwarf gecko It is a peaceful and social animal.. They can be kept in pairs or in mixed groups if there is enough space.
Terrarium
For proper maintenance of the species, the terrarium must have the appropriate dimensions. A copy of 50 x 50 x 70 cm is absolutely enough for the little ones Cameroon dwarf gecko.
There are no limits to your creativity when it comes to furnishing the terrarium. But, it is important that the new habitat is endowed with a hydrating substrate. For this it is recommended to use soil, bark or humus. It also, planting has significant relevance. climbing plants, bamboo tubes and branches are great for climbing and hiding.
The Cameroon dwarf gecko is purely diurnal. They need UV light and a “sunny place” to rest and relax.. The temperature in the terrarium should be between 25-28° C during the day. During the afternoon and evening hours the temperature can be lowered to 21-24° C.
To the Cameroon dwarf gecko he likes humidity. In the terrarium should prevail a humidity of the 60-80% during the day, during the night you can also climb the 90%. It is advisable to spray the terrarium with water several times a week.
Diet
Young Lygodactylus are fed food appropriate to their size. Especially small crickets, springtails, white isopods and Drosophila are readily accepted. You can also offer fruit pulp or fruit yogurt. The feed should be sprinkled with a vitamin preparation / mineral before each feeding to prevent deficiency symptoms. In this way, young animals grow quite rapidly and should have reached sexual maturity within a year.
Breeding
If all conditions for species-appropriate breeding are met, These dwarf geckos they will also reproduce willingly. Females usually produce two eggs, rarely one. These are nailed in a suitable place of the terrarium or in hiding places like bamboo canes.
Hard-shelled eggs, which are usually glued together to form a double clutch, measure 5 mm in diameter. If the eggs are laid on a bamboo stick, it is possible to transfer them to an incubator, where the young are born at a temperature of 25 °C after a few 80 days. If incubated to 28 °C, incubation time is reduced to a few 60 days. The clutches left in the terrarium hatched at temperatures of 20-27°C after about 82 days.
After leaving the eggshell, young people have a length of 24 mm and resemble adults in terms of coloration and markings. Hard-shelled eggs, which are usually glued together to form a double clutch, measure 5 mm in diameter. If the eggs are laid on a bamboo stick, it is possible to transfer them to an incubator, where the young are born at a temperature of 25 °C after a few 80 days. If incubated to 28 °C, incubation time is reduced to a few 60 days.
After leaving the eggshell, young people have a GL of 24 mm and resemble adults in coloration and markings. Only the tail of hatchlings is reddish-brown.. Due to its small body size, young animals must be housed in the so-called terrariums small.
As such, 1l domestic cans converted into terrariums and planted with a small plant (for example, Scindapsus) are the most suitable. This creates a microclimate that benefits the small geckos. Experience has shown that young people Lygodactylus they do better in used breeding tins than in newly installed sterile containers. This could be due to the intestinal flora left by the previous inhabitant, which is absorbed by the "new tenant" through licking and, thus, the latter is more capable of breaking down its food. The breeding boxes are placed in a bright place or illuminated by a fluorescent tube.
Additional irradiation with a UV-emitting light source appears to have a positive effect on the development of young animals.
For sale Cameroon dwarf gecko
The price in the exotic animal market of a Cameroon dwarf gecko ranges between 45 and 60 euros depending on size.
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Electric blue gecko
- Lygodactylus williamsi
Origin: Tanzania
Gender: Lygodactylus
Life expectancy: 5 - 10 years
Length: 5 - 8 cm.
The trade of Electric blue gecko is now banned in the EU. Cannot be kept or sold in the EU without documentation and permits, renewables every three years
Content
Description
Males and females of the Electric blue gecko do not show decisive differences in size. Most animals of this species reach a total body length of about 60-80 mm.
The length of the tail is more or less the same (not decisively minor) than the rest of the body including the head. Sex distinction is often made based on the intense blue coloration of males.. But, this method of sex determination can lead to considerable errors, since a male subdued, in contrast to the dominant rival, it doesn't have to show this intense coloration. So, clear sex determination is only possible in strict individual preservation or on the basis of male preanal pores (7 parts). It also, males can be recognized by a thickened tail root.
The females of the Lygodactylus williamsi they have a clear greenish-gold coloration. Both sexes are decorated with a black band from the muzzle over the eyes to the neck.. In the head, a second minor V-shaped line approaches the first. Juveniles of this species have the same coloration as females and are first recognized by distinctive preanal pores..
Distribution and habitat
The Electric blue gecko lives exclusively in the Kimbosa Forest, less than 4 km², and in small nearby areas of Tanzania, and lives to some 350 m above sea level. The Kimboza forest area is very dry during the day and semi-humid at night. Ocean temperatures and rainfall prevail locally. The highest temperatures are reached in December and are 28 degrees Celsius. There is a dry season from the end of June to the end of August. In the other months maximum values of 24 degrees. This species lives in trees and is found mainly in trees of Pandanus (Pandanus kirkii and rabaiensis).
The Electric blue gecko in captivity
The Electric blue gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) is under the protection of EU Appendix B in December 2014, under the protection of EU Appendix A in January 2017 and under the protection of CITES Appendix I in January 2017. Cannot be kept or sold in the EU without documentation and permits, renewables every three years, and Geckos must now register. Similar restrictions apply in some other jurisdictions. Trade in these animals is now banned in the EU.
Specimens bred for which an exemption from the trading ban has been issued are exempt from the ban.. So, breeders of these species will in future have to apply for such a marketing permit from their competent nature conservation authority before they can sell their offspring.
Terrarium
Relatively little is known about the life expectancy of the Electric blue gecko in the terrarium. This is because this species was recently discovered and, therefore, has not been kept in the terrarium for a long time. According to other species of Lygodactylus, life expectancy is between 6 and 9 years. It is already known that, especially in the male, intense blue coloration becomes darker and darker and, Therefore, represents the first sign of the aging process.
Behavior in the terrarium
The huge sexual impulse of the male is often reported and therefore a maintenance of 1,2 or 1,3, so that a single female does not suffer this sexual pressure. I personally recommend keeping the 1.1 for the moment, only if necessary, and whether the terrarium is large enough, possibly a female can be added later. Note that with a 1.x breeding, each animal should have its own place to sunbathe.
The male may copulate once a day after laying the eggs and, for the rest, leaves the female alone. Copulation can last between 10 and 45 minutes. After a brief acclimatization period, one quickly realizes that the Electric blue gecko not a shy species and makes the most of the tank. Especially the male turns out to be a real acrobat and does gymnastics all over the terrarium. Its main phase of activity is mainly in the afternoon, which now lasts until shortly before the lights go out. In the terrarium you can experience jumps of more than 20 cm over and over again.
Terrarium measurements
According to legal regulations, the terrarium must be a size of 30 x 30x 40 cm.. (Length x width x height) As minimum (if a Electric blue gecko of 5 cm.). But, this size cannot be recommended at all and is too small. Due to the behavior already described, a larger terrarium is recommended so that animals can also follow their natural preferences. A terrarium with a minimum size of 50 x 50 x 80 for breeding 1.1. for breeding 1.2 a terrarium with dimensions of 60 x 60 x 100. Of course, the terrarium can also be much larger, because the bigger, best!
When buying the terrarium, make sure that the upper ventilation area is greater than the 6 to 10 cm that standard terrariums usually have. It is also very advantageous to use fine gauze if you want to offer it to the Drosophila as food from time to time.
I can only disagree with the frequently asked questions that it is supposedly more difficult for the animals to get hold of food in a larger tank and that, Therefore, a smaller tank is recommended. The Electric blue gecko It, on the one hand, a very good and agile hunter and, for another, nothing is served on a silver platter in nature. Even in young animals, a pronounced hunting instinct can be observed, which should certainly be encouraged.
Decoration terrarium
As a substrate we use a layer of large balls of expanded clay/seramis as drainage and a layer of untreated coconut fiber on top of it.. To prevent the soil from settling over time and mixing the two layers, you must add a layer of fleece. It is recommended to inoculate the substrate with white isopods and tropical springtails. They can serve as food, but mainly take care of the tasks of natural waste disposal (mold, feces, dead plants).
Otherwise, it is advisable to have at least one large-leaved plant, as: Sanseveria, bromeliads, Palm trees, etc., since they are usually used as walking areas, rest, removal and egg laying. Cork tubes, the branches, lianas or bamboo tubes can be used as additional furniture.
Illumination
In commercial terrariums, a large part of the UV radiation is filtered due to the insufficient ventilation zone at the top and the forced placement of the light source on the glass, and does not reach the animal at all. It also, the glass can crack in the worst case due to the high heat.
In any case, lighting for Geckos (and also for chameleons) must be installed outside the terrarium, because animals, very agile and jumping, can burn with the light source. Metal halide lamps (for example, Bright Sun, SolarRaptor, etc.), which are highly recommended, get very hot and there is a risk of injury.
In any terrarium of any species of gecko or chameleon, lighting - without exception- must be placed outside the terrarium! It doesn't matter what you've been told in a pet store.
Of course, tank lighting should be chosen individually. But, you must pay special attention to the necessary UV radiation. This ultraviolet radiation is very important because reptiles are tetrachromatic.. This means they see in the UV-A range and, unlike us, also have photoreceptors.
So-called compact lamps are not recommended (energy saving lamps) or fluorescent tubes, since neither the illuminance (lux) nor the UV intensity are sufficient for lighting. But, Unfortunately, this type of lighting is often used for cost reasons. You have to be aware that keeping terrariums is a hobby that requires a lot of technology and costs., and you should not skimp on the most basic element (lighting). Insufficient lighting causes deficiency symptoms and diseases in animals.
On a sunny day in nature, an illuminance of approximately 100.000 lux. By way of comparison, compact lamps reach an average of 1.500 lux, while metal halide lamps (HQI) reach approximately 60.000 lux. These values speak for themselves.
For these reasons, it is advisable to buy an HQI spotlight with the appropriate ballast. Bright Sun, Reptile Expert or Solar Raptor can be recommended without reservation. At the time of buying, it is essential to take into account the power and the variant (flood or spot) depending on the size of the terrarium and the manufacturer's specifications (minimum distance to the animal). These lamps must be replaced no later than one year later than, as UV emission is not guaranteed after this period. Also keep in mind that your animals will thank you for this investment with health and activity.
Temperature in the terrarium
The temperature should oscillate between 26 and 30 degrees during the day, and occasionally up to 34 degrees. Make sure each animal has a place to sunbathe. At night, the temperature can oscillate between 18 and 22 degrees (approximately the ambient temperature). Relative humidity should be between the 50 and the 65% during the day and increase to 80% At night.
Food
All usual feeding animals can be offered. Medium-sized crickets, terfly, baked fish and occasionally fruit pulp, Repashy Daygecko Food or gelatin have been successful. Drosophila or worms rarely occur. Drosophila are not well tolerated by all animals and should never be used as exclusive food.. Small wax worms are popular, but they are very rich in content and should be offered as a rare gift or to feed themselves. Otherwise, animals can easily become obese.
Feeding insects should be dusted with a vitamin preparation before approximately every two meals.. We use Korvimin (available at the veterinarian), Herpetal T or Reptivite. Reptivite sticks to feeders better than Korvimin. It also, the animals fed must have been previously fed for an appropriate period of time (good load). We will use DIY gelatin, Repashy SuperLoad or BugBurger for our crickets. You can also use oatmeal, Cucumber, carrots, apples, etc., but the above products are easier to use and there is no risk of mold, but they are also much more expensive.
for females, there should be some cuttlefish/calcium citrate separately in a small container, for an increase in calcium needs (for example, during pregnancy) can be covered individually. The water supply is ensured by spraying water on the terrarium equipment every day. Please, do not use waterfalls or nebulizers, even if it seems "nice" to you, as water becomes contaminated quickly and animals can get sick.
Reproduction and rearing in the terrarium
Due to the enormous demand of the Electric blue gecko, breeding is essential to protect the natural habitat of these animals. During the breeding season, females usually glue a double laying (2 eggs) to an accessory or use an offered place of oviposition. If possible, the laying must be transferred to an incubator. But, no problem in incubating the laying in the terrarium, unless damaged by daily spraying of terrarium furniture. It is not impossible for the parents to chase the young. Our first clutch of eggs could not be removed from the terrarium and one of the hatchlings was eaten by one of the parents., although they were provided with enough food as a precaution.
At a constant incubation temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, the pups will be born after a few 90 days. Due to relatively low temperatures, a higher than average number of females can be bred.
As eggs are hard shelled, moisture does not play an important role during incubation. Once the pups have hatched, I transfer them to our breeding terrarium.
Video Electric blue gecko
Electric Blue Geckos (Lygodactylus williamsi) at LLLReptile
1. Turquoise dwarf gecko, William’s dwarf gecko (English).
2. Gecko de William (French).
3. Türkisblauer Zwergtaggecko, Williams-Zwerggecko (German).
4. Lagartixa anã turquesa, Lagartixa anã de William (Portuguese).
5. Gecko enano turquesa, Gecko enano de William (español).
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Geckos – A fascinating lizard
- Gekkonidae
Origin: The 5 Continents
Gender: Gekkonidae
Life expectancy: 8 - 15 years
Length: 4 to 60 cm..
Content
Geckos – a brief profile
The Geckos are, without a doubt, fascinating animals. Although they are becoming more popular as pets, the Geckos they continue to enjoy a kind of exotic status. The following brief profile aims to introduce a little to these interesting reptiles.
Origin
The Geckos have an impressive adaptability. That is why there is no region of the world in which they are exclusively located.. The Geckos can be found both in temperate climate regions such as in the desert or in the tropics.
Social behaviour
In the wild, most species of Geckos live in loose associations. But, some species are also strictly solitary, and males and females only come together to mate. In pet ownership, the Geckos they are usually kept in groups of two or more per terrarium.
But, if you keep several Geckos in different terrariums, you will be able to observe very well the communication between the animals. If there are others Geckos in the same territory, greeting each other, will threaten or make courtship sounds.
As there are different species of Gecko, the physique of animals is sometimes very different. In total, the respective species reach a length of about 4 to 60 cm.. But, the species of Geckos smaller ones are especially suitable for keeping as pets, as they require less space.
A special feature of the Geckos are its legs, since many species have adhesive sheets with which they can cling to very smooth objects or walk and climb them. Other species, However, have intermediate skins on their fingers and can walk on sand.
Life expectancy
As a rule, the Geckos they live between 8 and 15 years, but there are exceptions. The Leopard gecko, for example, can live 25 years. In principle, you can already tell by the size of the species of Gecko whether the animal can reach a longer life. The smaller a Gecko, the lower your life expectancy will be.
If the Geckos are kept as pets, their life expectancy depends mainly on the conditions in which they are maintained. Keep the Geckos in conditions that are not appropriate for the species usually causes premature death.
Sexual maturity
Sexual maturity in Geckos usually begins at 12-18 months, although there may be differences from one species to another. If the Geckos find abundance of food, females may reach sexual maturity before their physical development is complete. This fact can have fatal consequences for the Gecko.
Gestation period
As for the gestation period, also varies from species to species. In general, However, it can be said that the Geckos have a gestation period of about 45 to 60 days. Depending on the ambient temperature, can pass up to 80 days until hatching. But, in ideal conditions, it only takes a few 50 days.
Food
To maintain the health of the Geckos, depend on a varied and nutritious diet. Between the Geckos there are carnivores, herbivores, omnivores and scavengers. So, the diet can include both insects and snails, green foods and even smaller mammals.
Minimum space required
Before deciding on the terrarium size, you should know what kind of Gecko is and how many animals you want to have together. Basically, the necessary space depends on the body size of adult animals.
So, the species of Geckos smaller require less space than larger ones. If two are maintained Geckos in a terrarium, it is assumed that a minimum space of about 100 cm x 75 cm x 50 cm.. With each additional animal, the need for space increases a 50% more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Geckos
There are questions about the Geckos that are often done. We would like to answer some of them here.
Because the Geckos they can stick to smooth surfaces and thus climb walls?
The secret of the climbing ability of many species of Geckos resides on its special legs. The Geckos have millions of fine hairs on the soles of their feet. These hairs are so fine that even a human hair is hundreds of times thicker.. With the help of these hairs, unique in nature, the Gecko find a foothold even on the smoothest surfaces. This is because a weak electrostatic force acts at the molecular level between each of the tiny hairs and the surface.. For a single hair, this attraction is almost insignificant, but the large number of combined hairs ensures that the Geckos can adhere to almost anywhere.
How do geckos communicate?? do they make sounds?
In fact, most species of Geckos they also communicate with each other using their own vocal language. So that, there are typical calls that can be used to clearly identify certain species of geckos (for example, the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko)). The frequency and volume of the calls differ according to the species. And even within the same species there are individual differences from one animal to another..
Questions before buying a Gecko
Before buying Geckos, there are some basic questions you should ask yourself. It's important to know what you're getting into, because once you have them at home, you have to be prepared to take care of them for several years. During this time, not only will the costs of keeping the animals occur. Of course, the owner also has to invest a lot of work and time in maintaining the Geckos in a way appropriate to the species.
If you are not familiar with the Geckos as pets, first you should thoroughly inform yourself about the requirements for keeping these reptiles before buying them. Once the purchase decision has been made, the question of where you can buy geckos.
But before you do it, you should check if the Geckos are the right pet for you. And if it is suitable for keeping geckos at all. To avoid impulse purchases, you should take a little time and answer the following questions honestly:
I know what breeding is like Geckos appropriate to the species?
Work only starts with purchase. Am I willing to sacrifice time, money and space for animals?
The costs of breeding Geckos are easily underestimated due to their small size. can i afford to buy a Gecko?
The Geckos they can also get sick. Am I willing to pay for any veterinary treatment and medication and can I?
One terrarium needs space and special weather conditions. Do I have a suitable room to accommodate the animals?
The Geckos they are not stuffed animals. the characteristics of the Geckos fit my ideas about a pet?
The Geckos eat live animals. Am I prepared to buy and feed them myself?, and even to raise them?
What are the purchase and maintenance costs that I have to reckon with??
As already mentioned, many people underestimate the costs of maintaining Geckos of appropriate shape to the species due to its small size. But, the costs of keeping pets do not necessarily depend on their size, but of the demands they pose for their maintenance.
Basically, se puede decir que las mascotas más «exóticas», including reptiles such as Geckos, tend to be more expensive to maintain. This is due to the fact that these exotic animals live in nature in completely different climatic conditions than those that prevail here.. La «simulación» del hábitat natural es correspondientemente más compleja y, Therefore, also more expensive.
Basically, you can distinguish between one-off costs (or rare) and regular to maintain the Geckos.
One-off costs
Acquisition costs of animals
Terrarium
Furnish
Illumination
Heating systems or thermal carpets
Humidifiers or irrigation systems
Thermometer
Hygrometer
Ordinary costs
Food
Minerals
Detergent
Soils
Illuminators
Electricity for heating and lighting
One-time or infrequent costs amount to approximately several hundred euros, because terrariums and the necessary technology are usually not exactly cheap. It also, there are the costs of buying the animals, in which you have to have some 30 to 100 euros per Gecko.
The usual costs of raising Geckos are somewhat minor, although they should not be underestimated. Food and electricity also cost money. And finally, but not less important, do not forget the veterinary expenses. Regular costs should be at least 20 to 50 euros per animal per month.
Are geckos suitable for children?
And again, parents make the mistake of buying their children a Gecko as a pet. They think that a Geckoes algo completamente diferente y que su hijo tendrá una mascota «especial». But not even the Gecko nor will the child enjoy this decision, because geckos are definitely not pets for children.
Like the Geckos require a lot of attention, knowledge and care, children would quickly be overwhelmed by them. It also, you must be able to ensure that you are aware of the requirements of the Gecko. And the Geckos they are not stuffed animals, although this claim is often used as a sales strategy in the pet trade.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with buying a Gecko and let the children have a part of the new cohabitant. But, children should not be left to take care of the Gecko solos.
Buy a gecko
The Geckos can be purchased in pet stores, to breeders or at reptile fairs. But, the best and safest option is to buy directly from the breeder. The breeder can often give you advice on breeding Geckos or offer help with any questions or problems. You can also ask the breeder to show you where the Geckos and thus decide for yourself whether the breeder is trustworthy and experienced in breeding Geckos.
At the time of buying Geckos, you must first observe the behavior of animals. Only if the Gecko seems to be healthy and alert you should take it home. In the breeder, you can usually take your time to look and then decide which gecko you like best.. You can also make an appointment with the breeder beforehand and see how the animal is fed..
Unfortunately, there are always black sheep among breeders who only take into account the economic aspect and do not care about animals. It is better to avoid this type of breeders, because each purchase guarantees the continuity of the system.
At the time of buying, pay special attention to whether the terrariums are clean, if the Geckos behave fearfully, if they have enough space and fresh water, and what is the feeding of the Geckos. As you already know what a gecko needs, now it's easy to find out if geckos go well where you want to buy them.
Once you have decided on a Gecko, notice the following:
light eyes
No wounds or scars
No deformities in the toes
Age and size
Properly fed
Acclimatization period after purchase
After taking the Gecko at home, you need time to get used to your new environment. It is important that you place the animal in the terrarium ready for use immediately after transport and then only observe or talk to you.. In no case should it be removed Gecko to play the first day. New animals must first settle in their unfamiliar environment and this is already stressful enough for the Geckos. If you start too early with pressure or even coercion, there is a risk that animals will react with fear and shyness.
So that the Gecko feel comfortable, the terrarium must be arranged appropriately to the species. If he Gecko has enough hiding places, will be installed faster. after a few days, you should try to attract the Gecko with food and, when sufficiently domesticated, you can try to get it out. If you're lucky, the Gecko it will come to your hand later on its own, but it's also possible that he's still shy. Both must be accepted, because in the end each animal is its own individual.
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Mediterranean house gecko
- Hemidactylus turcicus
Origin: Mediterranean region
Gender: Hemidactylus
Life expectancy: 10 years
Length: 12 cm.
The Mediterranean house gecko is active at sunset and at night. It only activates sporadically during the day, especially when it's sunny on the warmest days of winter.
Content
Characteristics
The Mediterranean house gecko is a small reptile (until 12 cm of total head length), thin and with a depressed body and a narrow, short head, but well differentiated from the rest of the body. The back of the animal is covered with small granules that give it a rough appearance. It has a pink color with pale or sandy ocher tones and an almost translucent appearance.. The spots on the tail give it a ringed appearance by alternating light and dark bands. The fingers are widened at the base and have a row of sheets below, divided in the center (hence the Latin name: middle -finger hemi -dactyl-). Has claws on all toes.
Habitat
Species that prefer warm places, as rocky places, tree trunks, stones, abandoned and dilapidated houses. It is found less in cities than the common gecko (Tarentola mauritanica). Common in small rural areas, as irrigation systems, wells and wells.
Behavior
The Mediterranean house gecko is active at sunset and at night. It only activates sporadically during the day, especially when it's sunny on the warmest days of winter. Climb slightly vertical surfaces with great agility. The accession mechanism is similar to that of the common gecko: the inner laminae of their fingers have hairs that exert a chemical and electrostatic attraction on the attachment surface (Van der Waals forces). It is active almost all year round, although it is more difficult to observe between November and February, when it falls into a semi-targo that can be interrupted during some sunny days. Essentially, feeds on small insects and nocturnal arachnids. Take advantage of the fact that they are attracted to artificial light.
Reproduction
The breeding season runs from March to July. Right now, males show aggressive behavior, defend their territory and emit vocal noises, something unusual among reptiles. Females can put 1 to 2 eggs two or three times a year and are buried under stones, in cracks in the trunk or on the ground. The pups of the Mediterranean house gecko are born between one and three months after laying eggs.
Degree of protection
It doesn't seem to have major conservation issues, which is related to the fact that it can live both in human habitat and in unspoiled nature.
The "Mediterranean house gecko" in captivity
Adaptable in nature, makes them resistant to many environments. They also have a sweet and docile temperament that makes them friendly with beginners..
They often live in human homes and adapt well to man-made habitats..
Pros
They are very resistant and do not suffer from many health problems.
This species is tiny and pretty.
They are very easy to care for and cost between 5 and 20 EUR.
Contras
They are agile and move very fast so they can easily escape.
Your droppings can stain fabrics.
They get stressed very easily, so they require careful handling.
Food
The Mediterranean house gecko it is insectivorous. They eat a wide variety of insects.
In the wild, this reptile hunts by slowly crawling towards its prey before pounced and threw its head forward to catch the insect.. They most often hunt around porch lights or man-made light structures..
Your Gecko can eat crickets, cockroaches and worms.
feed your Gecko three to four times a week. In each feeding session, provide it from four to five crickets.
Be sure to feed insects that are no larger than the size of your dog's head. Gecko. Whether the insects are the right size, can maintain a consistent feeding schedule almost daily.
Sprinkle insects with a vitamin and mineral supplement before feeding them. In the case of adults, do it once a week and in the case of growing geckos, do it three times a week. Use a supplement that includes calcium but not phosphorus.
You can also load the insect guts a few days before feeding for extra nutrients.
Leave the food out for a couple of hours before taking it out of the cage.
Provide a bowl of water to your Mediterranean house gecko, although this species normally prefers to drink from water drops. Mist his cage daily to keep humidity high and provide drops of water to drink..
Care & Health
The Mediterranean house gecko lives between three and nine years.
They are very resistant reptiles, but they can suffer from some health problems if their breeding and care routine is not followed:
Problems can occur when they eat something they can't digest. The most common source is the substrate. It can be fatal if left untreated, but it is easy to avoid if you feed on a diet only of insects and use the correct substrate (for example, paper or newspaper towels).
Parasites can infect your Mediterranean house gecko through contact with spoiled food. Your Gecko will appear lethargic or vomit frequently.
Sometimes respiratory infections can occur due to incorrect temperature or humidity in your enclosure. This is characterized by lethargy, loss of appetite or breathing with your mouth open.
Molting problems can be caused by low humidity levels. If the excess skin seems to be stuck to your Gecko, you must increase the humidity in your cage.
Metabolic bone disease can cause curved limbs, instability and difficulty standing up. Be sure to feed your lizard a healthy amount of supplements to keep its bones strong.
Frequently asked questions
Is the "Pink Gecko" poisonous??
This Gecko it is not poisonous and is completely harmless to humans. Unlike some reptiles, are completely harmless and rarely bite.
Do the tails of the "Pink Gecko" grow back??
Yes, grows back. The Mediterranean house gecko drop your tail if you feel threatened. But, its tail contains significant fat reserves, so try not to stress your gecko. If your pet drops its tail, make sure she has plenty of food and is comfortable while she grows back.
Signs that you are healthy
Uniform skin and consistent texture.
Regular feeding and defecation.
Full and rounded body.
light eyes.
disease symptoms
Head or mouth dropped.
Lumps or swelling.
Discharge from the nose, the eyes or mouth.
Weakness, loss of appetite and lethargy.
Terrarium
This species of Gecko usually lives next to humans. They live on, inside and under houses. They can often be found hiding under roof tiles, behind refrigerators and climbing walls.
They are resistant, so they can live in tropical and subtropical environments from the Mediterranean to India.
Type of terrarium: Glass aquarium. Aquarium size: 40 litres. Illumination: UVB. Substrate: kitchen paper or newspapers.
Terrarium Configuration
These Geckos are small but like to live in large spaces.
One terrarium glass 40 liters with a mesh cap will work, but a "high" enclosure of 80 liters is much better. The terrariums for juveniles and hatchlings may be slightly smaller, of 20 litres.
Add 20 additional liters per each Gecko female if she harbors more than three, a tank of 80 liters is appropriate. It is not recommended to accommodate other reptiles apart from the common gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) with this species.
Place branches and foliage in your tank. Also make sure there are at least two hiding places per Gecko.
A UVB bulb is recommended. No need for full-spectrum lighting, but make sure they have a cycle 12 hours of day and night.
Installing a designated sunbathing point will help create a heat gradient and provide a warm place for the sleeping gecko.. The Geckos are thermoregulated, so it is essential to have a hot and a cold side in the aquarium.
To heat your enclosure use a heating pad or an incandescent bulb. The temperature inside the tank should be 24° to 32°C in the morning and 18° to 24°C at night.. Place the heating elements only in one of the halves of the tank, which will help create a heat gradient.
The humidity should be between 60 and the 75% at all times.
To keep humidity high, mist the cage with a spray bottle every day; point to walls, not to your lizard. You can also introduce live plants to increase humidity or bring your water dish closer to the sunny spot..
Reptile carpet can be used as a substrate, but it will need to be changed frequently because it may harbor bacteria. The best option is paper towels or newspapers.
Paper substrates should be changed three times a week.
Terrarium cleaning
Your tank should be cleaned once a month with soap (or a bleach solution 10%) and water.
When cleaning the terrarium, be sure to observe the droppings of your Gecko.
Their droppings should be long and light brown with white tips. They must maintain their shape. Droppings that leak or crumble are usually a sign of illness.
Behavior in captivity
The Mediterranean house gecko communicate primarily through visual cues. This is similar to what happens with the African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus), who usually greets.
One Gecko submissive will be removed or frozen, while an aggressor will snap his mouth, lash out or bite. In domain demos, two Geckos they will face and squeal – this is common in males.
In captivity, this lizard has a docile temperament.
Females can cohabit, but males can be territorial.
Common behaviors in captivity include sticking out the tongue and hitting the substrate with the nose to perceive its surroundings..
They are usually found in their hiding places during the day and are more active at night.
This Gecko mist in the colder months, but not necessary in captivity.
Brumation can be dangerous and is not recommended for first-time owners or Geckos youth.
Handling tips
This reptile tolerates handling, but it is very fast and can escape in the blink of an eye.
You should only handle adults when they have had a chance to get used to you..
When you handle it, do not hold or grab it by the tail or lower belly. This can cause them to release their tail in a panic or cause them stress.. Instead,, hold it tightly on top and gently support it on the lower belly.
Always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile.
Courtship
Males court females through aggressive behaviors and vocalizations.
He will approach the female and touch her with his muzzle or bite her neck. It will also vocalize before and after mating. The courtship is very brief and the female will leave shortly after to build a nest in an excavated substrate. Most of the eggs hatch within 45 to 60 days.
The breeding season occurs between April and August.
Females have small clutches of one to three eggs twice a season.
Incubation temperature can affect the sex of the hatchlings., females are more likely to be born at higher temperatures.
Price
The Mediterranean house gecko it's very affordable. They usually cost between 5 and 20 EUR, depending on size and age.
The cage, light and substrate should cost 50 EUR.
Recurring costs (for example, food and vitamins) will be around the 150 euros per year.
Despite being widely available in nature, it is much better to buy it bred in captivity from a breeder or a pet store.
When you buy a Mediterranean house gecko, make sure you have clear eyes and a healthy appetite.
Avoid pups with dry patches on their skin, no toes or tail drooping. If the tail is disproportionate to your body size, it's a sign that they've dropped it recently.
Treat the hatchlings the same as adults and make sure they receive nutrients from the insects they carry in their intestines.
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Crested gecko
- Correlophus ciliatus
Origin: New Caledonia
Gender: Correlophus
Life expectancy: 15 - 20 years
Length: 15 - 25 cm. + 10 - 15 cm. (tail)
Content
Origin
The Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) is located at the southern end of Grande Terre, the main island of New Caledonia, and on the island of Pins, what makes it endemic.
Although the natural habitat of the Crested gecko continues to decline due to permanent environmental degradation, unfortunately not subject to any international protection status. It is being considered in protected status by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Description
The Crested gecko usually measures between 15-25 cm length, including between 10-15 cm of tail. Among the most distinctive features of these geckos are the hair-like projections above the eyes., that look a lot like tabs. These projections continue in the form of two rows of spines that run from the eyes to the sides of its wedge-shaped head and continue to the base of its tail..
The Crested gecko no eyelids. In its place, a transparent scale, or glasses, keeps each eye moist, using the tongue to clean up waste.
These geckos have a semi-prehensile tail that they use to climb. Tail can be dropped (via caudal autotomy) to distract predators. The Crested gecko do not regenerate their tail once they have lost it; most adults in the wild lack a tail.
The toes and the tip of the semi-prehensile tail are covered with small hairs called setae. Each mushroom is divided into hundreds of smaller hairs (of about 200 nanometers in diameter) called spatulas. These structures are thought to take advantage of the weak van der Waals force to help the gecko climb most solid surfaces., easier in the flatter and smoothest, like glass or wood. The fingers have small claws that help them climb over surfaces that their fingers can't hold onto..
Habitat
It is arboreal in nature and lives in the treetops of humid forests., hot and dense lowland vegetation.
The Crested gecko perches on tree branches, but also in the holes of the branches that serve as a hiding place. Its period of activity begins at dusk and ends in the early hours of the morning.
Characteristics
The Crested gecko it is a crepuscular and nocturnal gecko and less shy than the species of the genus Rhacodactylus.
She is a skilled climber. For this it has the help of its adhesive sheets and its claws, as well as his tail, which serves as an additional gripping organ and to maintain balance. Like most Geckos, the Crested gecko is able to release the tail in case of danger (autotomy). But, does not form a full regenerate, so there is only a short stump left.
The growth of the Geckos in general it has no comparison with that of many other reptile species.
Its nature is slow growing. While many species of Geckos of the warm regions of the world grow completely in 1 or 2 years maximum, all the Gecko of New Caledonia need more time for their development.
In the case of Crested gecko need 3 years until they have grown at all.
But, in general, each animal must be considered individually.
Even siblings born on the same day and raised the same way can grow up totally different.
There is a wide range of colors on the market, the following types have demonstrated their heritage over time.
No pattern | Exists 1 color Orange, Yellow, White, Negro…
Bicolor | 2 colors with mostly light reverses
Tricolor | The animal is completely stamped or superimposed with 3 colors.
Tiger / Striped | Patterns very rich in contrast, mostly single basic color.
Design harlequin interlaced with dark background tone
Rear stripe mostly white and the rest very dark
Morphs There are many of these on the market, but only the years will show if the inheritance is guaranteed.
The "Crested gecko" in captivity
Terrarium
The terrarium for him Crested gecko must be high enough, as they are inhabitants of trees and are almost never found on the ground. As a key to the size of the terrarium we recommend calculating with the head-torso length of the animal. The size of the terrarium is calculated as follows for non-adult animals:
Terrarium floor space: 4 x 3 times the head-torso length of the animal.
Height of the terrarium: Four times the head-torso length of the animal.
Observe the growth of the animal in the coming months (fast-growing animal/slow-growing animal).
Terrarium decoration
The Crested gecko it is an excellent climber and needs several cork branches and cork tubes. The bamboo poles also have a decorative aspect and provide the animal with a space to walk, including the coveted heat point under a spotlight. As such, place a branch or root at the right distance from the light source so that the right temperature is created in it. Some vertical climbing possibilities should not be missing.
It also, the terrarium must be well decorated with plants. Artificial plants are a practical option, as they can be easily cleaned of feces.
The substrate suitable is the bark bed (Also called "crust") and the land of the terrarium. Moss cushions are decorative and regulate humidity. Droppings and food scraps should be removed daily.
Temperature and lighting of the terrarium
Although they are twilight and nocturnal, the Crested gecko sometimes sunbathe and will gladly accept a spot of ultraviolet light. It also, only an optimal supply of UV-B light provides enough vitamin D3 for young animals to grow optimally and adults to also be in top shape and display their bright colors.. We recommend the JBL L-U-W Light, which is available in various powers and in the version «Jungle«. This type of lighting provides light, heat and UVA/UVB rays.
As a caregiver, can get an especially good climate (and easy to control) using a heating mat under part of the floor of your terrarium. Although the Crested gecko almost never goes to the ground to warm up there, yes it heats the basic temperature of the high terrarium -which by design is similar to a fireplace- from below. These terrariums usually have too low temperatures in the lower half of the terrarium outside of summer., so the fry have a hot back and a cold belly. The heating mat must be accompanied by a thermostat. In this way, always get the right climate, as the heating mat turns on automatically when needed.
A plus point is the more favorable energy consumption in terms of the environment, since terrariums operated in this way not only require lower power for point lamps, but also, usually, fix themselves with less energy. For one uniform lighting of your terrarium as decoration of your living space, we recommend the LED lighting across the entire terrarium. Light and heating sources are always turned on and off at a daily rate by means of a timer, 14h on, 10h off.
Food
The Crested gecko seems very quiet, but he is a good hunter. Feeding insects (crickets, domestic crickets, grasshopper, etc.) they are always sprinkled with mixtures of vitamins and minerals. This is the only way to avoid irreversible deficiencies, which can often lead to serious illness or even death in young animals and pregnant females, for example.
Feeding animals must always be adapted to the size of the Gecko. Feed only insects that will be eaten directly. Otherwise, feeding animals would disperse in the terrarium, they would hide away and get rid of the attached vitamins/minerals – the result is malnutrition and malnutrition despite food supplies. They also like to eat fruit pulp, for example, food for the Crested gecko from Exoterra.
Social behavior and reproduction
The Crested gecko can be held individually or in a group. Males are territorial and incompatible with each other. They can be very demanding with females, so it is not recommended to keep them as a "couple.".
Females put 2 eggs several times a year, that burrow into the moist substrate. After 60-120 days at 21°C to 28°C the young hatch.
For sale "Crested gecko"
The price of a "Crested gecko" at the exotic animal market, bred in captivity, ranges between 60 – 80 EUR.
Videos"Crested gecko"
My Correlophus ciliatus and the aquaterrarium bombinas orientalis | dadenReptilera
1. Eyelash gecko (English).
2. Gecko à cils, Gecko à frange (French).
3. Neukaledonischer Kronengecko (German).
4. Crested gecko (Portuguese).
5. Gecko de pestañas (español).
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Cat gecko
- Aeluroscalabotes felinus
Origin: Indonesian, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand
Gender: Aeluroscalabotes
Life expectancy: 10 - 12 years
Length: 18 cm..
The Cat gecko is an elegant gecko highly sought after by gecko collectors. It's relatively easy to create, but can be difficult to find in the market.
Content
Origin
The Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) is a tree species of the family Eublepharidae.
They are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, where they prefer to live in moist and cool jungles with streams or rivers.
These Geckos occasionally enter the terrarium trade as wild-caught specimens, so most individuals die during transport. Thailand has a law that prohibits the capture, trade, the import and export of gekcos.
Its name comes from its habit of sleeping curled up with its tail over the nose and eyes..
The nominal shape A. felinus felinus was described by Günther in 1864, the subspecies A. felinus multituberculatus was first described by Kopstein in 1927.
Characteristics
The Cat gecko can be measured 12 cm., 21 cm if we add the tail. Males are still smaller.
The head is clearly separated from the body, has an elongated muzzle and is wider than the body.
The neck and body they are flattened laterally and are covered with small dorsal scales, flat and almost uniform. A row of small flat tubers are present, although they may be missing; the ventrals are small, smooth and elongated.
Sexually mature males have an angular row of 25-28 enlarged preanal scales, with 10-23 Pores. Thin limbs end in short, clawed fingers.
The hemipenes clearly visible facilitate sex determination.
The original tail is able to grip, the regenerated one is shorter and bulkier.
Dorsal coloration between dark and reddish-brown, 1 or 2 rows of reddish beige spots, yellow or whitish running from the nape of the neck to the back, often framed in dark color.
The head and limbs are unicolored or with brown patterns; the sides of the body may have irregular and partially indistinct light or dark lines or spots.
Lip and chin protections are whitish, eyes are blackish brown.
The throat is reddish beige, the ventral part is reddish-brown and with small irregular dark spots.
Original tail conspicuous and irregularly stained white. Regenerated tails have only indistinct black and brown spots.
The youth are stronger in their overall coloration.
Habitat
The Cat gecko is an inhabitant of the primary forest from sea level to some 800 m above sea level. There it lies close to the ground, especially moving in the branches of the bushes and possibly also in the trees.
It is a Gecko strictly nocturnal, well hidden during the day. Its mode of locomotion is of a chameleon slowness. Climb skillfully on small branches, using its prehensile tail as an aid to climbing.
The "Cat gecko" in captivity
Terrarium
For a mate or a male with a maximum of 3 females, are enough terrariums of 60 x 40 x 40 cm. (width x depth x height). But, a higher height adapts to the need of this species of Geckos.
The substrate consists of garden soil or a mixture of soil and peat, of about 5 height cm. Make sure the soil is always moist. It is essential that there are branches that animals can climb on., as well as plants, as they like to climb them. Pieces of cork or tubes placed on the ground and in branches serve as a hiding place during the day. Despite constant spraying (at least every two days), you should not miss a bowl of water, since animals visit it frequently and also like to defecate on it. Once a week, spray water should be enriched with a mixture of vitamins.
Terrarium lighting
Lighting is provided by fluorescent tubes, temperatures should be a maximum of 27° C during the day (25°C is better) with a reduction to about 23° C at night.
It is advisable to reduce the lighting time and slightly lower the temperatures in winter.
Food
The Cat gecko eat the usual gecko food in the right size, that is to say, crickets, Little grasshoppers, etc. But, tend to prefer smaller foods. Sprinkle regularly 3-4 times a month with a mixture of lime with vitamins.
Reproduction
Females put 2 elongated soft-shelled eggs several times a year in the moist substrate or in the pot.
At 24-26°C during the day, with an overnight setback at 20-22° C, incubation lasts between 70 and 85 days. The babies measure 43-57 mm y have a length of 75-92 mm.
They must be raised individually.
during breeding, regular vitamin supplementation in the form of lime preparations and in spray water must be guaranteed.
For sale "Cat gecko"
The price of a "Cat gecko" at the exotic animal market, captive bred, ranges between 100 – 300 EUR, depending on its size.
GROSSMANN, W. & C. SHEPHERD (2005): Breeding and propagation experiences of the Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) (GÜNTHER, 1864). — SAURIA, berlin, 27 (1): 33-46.
GROSSMANN, W. (in the press): Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus). — Münster, species by species, Terrarium Library (Natur und Tier – Verlag GmbH), 64 p.
MANTHEY, U. & W. GROSSMANN (1997): Amphibians & Reptiles of Southeast Asia. – Münster (Natur und Tier – Verlag), 512 p.
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Dwarf yellow-headed gecko
- Lygodactylus luteopicturatus
Origin: Kenya and Somalia
Gender: Lygodactylus
Life expectancy: 10 - 20 years
Length: 8 - 9 cm..
The Dwarf yellow-headed gecko is widely traded in the exotic animal trade.
Content
Origin and habitat
The Dwarf yellow-headed gecko is originally from Africa and lives in the border area of eastern Tanzania and southern Kenya. the subspecies zanzibaritis comes from Zanzibar.
It is a kind purely arboreal. It is found in wooded coastal areas directly on the trunks of coconut trees, in bushes and humid savannahs in small trees and shrubs.
Juveniles are tolerated in the group, and the male expels the young males before reaching sexual maturity.
Characteristics
It is a daytime Gecko, which lives in trees and has a rather thin appearance. The dominant color is the gray-blue throughout the body, with longitudinal lines slightly darker, more marked on the head. The head is generally clearer, and yellow depending on the individual.
Like all members of the genus Lygodactylus, have adhesive sheets on their fingers and at the bottom of the tail tip.
Sex discrimination is not difficult with an experienced eye; males have thickened tail base and are a brighter blue color than females. The maximum size is 90 mm, being 80 mm the mean.
The “Yellow-headed Dwarf Gecko” in captivity
The Dwarf yellow-headed gecko is widely traded in the exotic animal trade. With good care, the animal can reproduce quite easily in a terrarium.
It is a Gecko very shy, but this little creature is worth it. With patience, will not only get used to sharing the same space as you, but you can encourage him to eat directly from your hand. When it grows at all, will not measure more than 7 u 8 centimeters.
The ideal is to have a second Dwarf yellow-headed gecko living with you, as this will allow you to see their full personality. They are curious but also shy, so they will need a habitat with many places to hide and explore. Tubes, live plants and plenty of branches to climb will keep them entertained.
Terrarium
Keep in pairs in terrariums of 40 x 40 x 60 cm., although you could also keep a group of 1,2 in these tanks.
The substrate is a mixture of sand and earth.
The furniture consists of branches of various thicknesses, in addition to green plants with large leaves such as sansevieria. A large piece of cork serves to hide and lay eggs.
The terrariums are illuminated with a low consumption lamp of 7 W, a focus of 20 W and a tube of natural light.
The Temperatures are among the 24 °C and the 28 °C.
The humidity must oscillate between the 60 % and the 70 % and is achieved by periodic spraying. Animals also like to lick the water sprayed from the leaves.
The feeding is carried out of 2 to 3 times per week alternating with crickets, oven fish, bean beetles and wax moths and their caterpillars. Food is always sprinkled with Korvimin and calcium citrate. Approximately once a month it is offered to the Geckos fruit. Peach-passion fruit is especially popular.
Reproduction
The mating season begins between March and April, time when males are especially showy to impress females. After a successful mating, it is easy to see that the female develops eggs. These are clearly visible, but they are not through the abdominal wall, as is the case with the species Phelsuma.
after a few 4 weeks of gestation, the female usually lays a double clutch of eggs. For this, small openings or holes in the cork are usually used.. It is better to leave the eggs in the terrarium. After a few 60 to 70 days hatch the young 2,5 cm size. The coloration corresponds to that of the females. Males begin to change color slowly at the age of 3 to 4 months.
Young animals are reared individually in suitable containers. The vessels are furnished like the terrariums of the parents, with a mixture of sand and soil as substrate, fine twigs for climbing, small pieces of cork and small plants. They are illuminated with a low-power daylight tube, otherwise the containers overheat. Every two days the young are fed small food. Microgrowers, small oven fish and small caterpillars of wax moth are suitable for it. The ideal is to “inoculate” the substrate with white springtails and isopods., which are also easily eaten.
In the case of young animals, it is especially important that food is always sprinkled with Korvimin and calcium citrate, since they need calcium especially for their bone structure. They should also be provided with water every day.. After about 10 to 12 months animals are sexually mature.
For sale "Dwarf yellow-headed gecko"
Animals caught in the wild are often very weak and susceptible due to long transports and maintenance at dealerships.. Unfortunately, they are also sold too cheaply. Thus, I advise anyone who wants to acquire this species to opt for breeds in captivity. They will give you much more pleasure.
Its price in the exotic animal market ranges from 30 – 60 EUR.