| general
|
| description |
The ground
color of this gecko ranges from various shades of dark
brown to shades of light brown and cream. They often have
white or cream spots scattered over the body. It has both
a striped and banded pattern phase. |
| distribution |
Southern Madagascar, Africa |
| adult
size |
approx. 5 to 6" |
| sexing |
Males tend
to be larger than females and develop hemipenile bulges.
Males have a much larger head than females. These geckos
can reach sexual maturity in 6-10 months. |
| life
span |
10 or more years in captivity.
|
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial;
they can be found in forests, savannahs, and in semi-arid
regions. |
| cage
|
It should be large enough
but does not need to be tall because they do not climb
high much. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
Soil, gravel, fine sand
(e.g. Repti Sand,
Calci-Sand),
barks (e.g. Repti Bark,
Coconut Bark) |
| activity
period |
Nighttime (nocturnal);
give heat and help monitoring by infrared lamps (e.g.
Nightlight Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp) where the light is invisible for it but
humans |
| temperature |
28 - 30 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
24 - 26 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
22 - 24 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
mid to low |
| water
dish |
a small water dish (e.g.
Rock water dish)
should be available to access all the time |
| hiding
place |
Essential, a place for
its privacy, security and sleep by day.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habbe
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Insectivorous
; crickets should be dusted with a good calcium and mineral
supplement. Since females of this species produce many
eggs, always dust any food items given to them. |
| primary
food |
various small
arthropods (e.g. insects, worms, crickets, etc) |
| notes |
Remove all the remaining
insects because they (specially crickets) will be harassing
it at night, resulting stress.
Food items should be no larger than 1/3 of the size of
its head. |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
|
Oviparous |
| eggs |
lays 2 eggs per clutch,
15 - 20 times per year, hatch in 45 - 60 days at 27 ¢XC |
