Thick-tailed gecko

- Underwoodisaurus milii

The Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) is found in the Southern regions of Australia. Its distribution in Western Australia extends to the southwest, the gold fields, the wheat belt and the nullarbor regions to the east, and to Shark Bay in the north. It is also found in the Abrolhos of Houtman and in the Recherche Archipelago.

This interesting species of Gecko inhabits the soil and is crepuscular/nocturnal.

The Thick-tailed gecko You can live up 10 years. It is reddish-brown with bands of white and yellow spots, and a paler belly. Usually reaches a total length (including the queue) of 120-140 mm. The original tail is black with several pale bands, but the regenerated tail has little drawing.

The Thick-tailed gecko is found in rocky outcrops, and is slightly more cold tolerant than many other Australian gecko species. It is nocturnal and shelters under rocks or in burrows during the day..

The terrariums for him Thick-tailed gecko must have sufficient floor space, since it is an animal that lives 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:

Observe the growth of the animal in the coming months (fast-growing animal/slow-growing animal). A terrarium of at least 50 x 50 x 50 cm..

The equipment of the terrarium for him Thick-tailed gecko corresponds to that of Australian dry forests. Arranged around caves -in principle, each animal must have its own shelter-, may seem somewhat stony.

A little dry wood is also very decorative and expands the habitat of animals, as they also like to climb.
The substrate Suitable is terrarium sand and mineral granules such as Hobby Terrano Calcium, mixed with a little crust. There is also special sand for caves and burrows, which allows animals to make their own tunnels and burrows and maintains their shape.

Some artificial plants steppe or semi-desert character are hygienic and decorative in this landscape. The so-called "wet box" is filled with moist moss and the animals like to use it as a "steam sauna" before molting.. The Gecko drink water from a shallow bowl. Droppings and food scraps should be removed daily.

The Thick-tailed gecko is native to Australia. Although they are twilight and nocturnal, from time to time it happens that these species of geckos sunbathe, and then they willingly accept a dose of ultraviolet rays.

How reptiles are thermal animals, you have to emulate their natural habitat in the terrarium: temperature and humidity. This is achieved with various heat/light sources and by spraying water.. One thermometer/hygrometer allows the caregiver to control these values. 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.. We recommend the JBL L-U-W Light, which is available in various powers and in the "Desert" version. 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. In this way, heat the basic temperature from below and provide warm areas both in the sand and in nature. 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 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 using a timer, 14h on, 10h off.

The Thick-tailed gecko is a silent insect hunter. They follow their prey in sight, only to pounce on her "in the last meter". Insects that serve as food (crickets, grasshopper, etc.) 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.

The feed 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.

The Thick-tailed gecko can be kept individually or in a group of a male with several females. Males are very territorial and always incompatible with each other..
One hibernation period of 2-3 months at room temperature favors reproduction. The females then put 2 soft-shelled eggs in a moist substrate up to three times a year. The “wet box” described above is ideal for this purpose.. A 26-27°C, the pups take a few 65 days to hatch.

These animals have the nickname "Barking Gecko" because they can make the corresponding sounds. If they feel upset, may complain loudly and threaten. But they are completely harmless..
For the caregiver's advantage, the Thick-tailed gecko usually always use the same corner of the terrarium to defecate.
A moonlight lamp allows you to observe the inhabitants of the terrarium at dusk without disturbing them.

The price of the "Thick-tailed gecko" in the exotic animal market, bred in captivity, ranges between 70 – 140 EUR.

1. Barking gecko, Australian thick-tailed (English).
2. Gecko aboyeur d’Australie (French).
3. Underwoodisaurus milii (German).
4. Lagartixa latindo (Portuguese).
5. Gecko de cola gruesa, Gecko ladrido (español).