Lined gecko

- Gekko vittatus

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.

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 is easy to preserve, provided that one or two important points are taken into account.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The price of a Lined gecko in the exotic animal market ranges from 40 and 50 EUR.

1. Skunk Gecko (English).
2. Streifen Gecko (French).
3. Gefütterte Gecko, Skunk-Gecko (German).
4. Lagartixa Skunk (Portuguese).
5. Gecko de Java (español).