Care Sheet for Geckos: African Fat-TailedAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.56 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 05/07/2006 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Geckos: African Fat-Tailed |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | TEK9 |
Years Experience: | 3 to 5 Years |
Species: | African Fat Tail Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | NONE |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Presence of Hemipeneal Bulges and Distinctive "V" shape Pre-Anal Pores in males.
Females are generally smaller than males and lack the Pre-anal pores.
The outward appearance of the AFT is similar to a Leopard gecko, except banded in various shades of brown and tan. AFTs have the ability to shed and regenerate their tail defensively. A regrown tail is similar in shape to their head.
African Fat Tail Geckos can live for 15+ years in captivity.
Several "morphs" of AFTs are available including Striped and Albino. |
Mostly Active During: | Night |
Substrate and Water Needs: | Sterilized Potting soil or a Commercially Prepared Humidity Retaining Substrate made specifically for Reptiles.
Clean fresh water should be provided at all times and the Enclosure misted twice a day to provide water droplets on cage furniture for drinking. |
Lighting and UVB: | Provide a Incandescent Basking Spot, both day and night, Under Tank heating is acceptable as well.
UV is not required as this species is nocturnal, although may provide excellent Daytime lighting especially if live plants are used in the enclosure. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Ideal Daytime Temperature: 84-86 degree ambient temperature with a 88-90 degree Basking Spot
Ideal Daytime Humidity: 60-70%
Ideal Night Temperature: 78-82 degree ambient temperature with a cooler night time basking spot. |
Heating and Equipment: | Utilize an appropriately powerful basking light, normal incandescent bulbs are adequate for day, although full spectrum basking bulbs are preferred due to their UVA output which provides psychological security to the AFT.
A reptile night bulb is recommended for night viewing as these have been specially designed not to disrupt day/night cycles whereas painted "mood" bulbs can put out white light which will disturb proper night patterns.
An UTH is also an appropriate 24hour Heat source.
The AFT also requires a minimum of two hides, one on the warm side and one on the cool side. A Moist hide is NOT required if minimum care requirements are met. |
Caging Provided: | An AFT will require a minimum tank of 20 gallons, providing a smaller tank will severely restrict the AFTs movements and activities. An ideal tank is a 20L for 2 AFT, larger is better, although a tank which is too large may make the animal feel unsecure. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | The AFT is an insectivore. The primary food source is Crickets. Although Mealworms, Superworms, Silkworms and Butterworms are all acceptable some AFTs will out right refuse to eat them.
An adult AFT will eat between 6-12 crickets every other day.
Hatchlings and Sub-adults should be fed 6-12 crickets every day. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | Crickets should be dusted with Calcium w/D3 every other day, and a multivitamin once a week. |
Maintenance: | Feces should be removed from the tank immediately after defecation, as bacterial colonies may begin to reproduce, this also minimizes fecal-oral contact and keeps the feeders from feeding on the feces furthering any potential disease problems
All water and food dishes should be sterilized every 2-3 days.
Once a month the enclosure should be completely sterilized with a dilute bleach solution. |
Some Words on this Species: | The African Fat Tail gecko is an excellent docile reptile appropriate for people with some minor experience with other herps. It is easy to handle and can become quite friendly with repeated handling. Although this species has some very specific needs it is an easy species to care for and can make an excellent pet. |
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