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Mediterranean house gecko
- Hemidactylus turcicus

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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.
Mediterranean house gecko
Konstantinos Kalaentzis – Hemidactylus turcicus (Rhode, Greece) – Konstantinos Kalaentzis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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..

Mediterranean house gecko
Mediterranean house gecko with prey on a wall: (Hemidactylus turcicus) in Messenia, Greece – Koppi2, GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons

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 it poisonous “Mediterranean house gecko”?

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 “Mediterranean house gecko”?

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 an enclosure “alto” 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.

Videos "Mediterranean house gecko"

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Alternative names:

1. Mediterranean Gecko, Turkish gecko, Moon lizard (English).
2. (French).
3. Türkischer Halbfingergecko, Hausgecko (German).
4. Lagartixa doméstica (Portuguese).
5. Gecko Casero del Mediterráneo, Cuija, Gecko pinto, Salamanquesa costera (español).

2 thoughts on "Mediterranean house gecko”

  1. A question, if I'm going to leave kitchen paper as a substrate, I have to leave it as it is or I cut it into strips???

    Reply

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