african-fat-tailed-geckoCategoriesLifestyle Lizards Care and Habitat Pet caring and Habitat
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Caring for your pet Lizards- African Fat-Tailed Geckos

Reptile petting is one such occasion habit seen in rarity, for you to raise them in full conscience  need as much information as possible, read more for a complete guide on each pet to wish to raise.

Reptiles make fascinating pets, but each species is fascinating in its own way. In this article we are going to discuss African fat-tailed geckos complete care guide.

African fat-tailed geckos are ground-dwelling nocturnal lizards native to West Africa’s deserts. African fat-tailed lizards become more popular as pets, mainly for their ability to live in captivity as well as their gentle affectations and willingness to be handled. 

Appearance

African Fat-Tailed Geckos natural colouring is a pale tan or brown background with prominent brown and tan stripes, with some having a faint white stripe running down their back. They are one of only a few geckos with eyelids, which help them keep their eyes clean in their dusty environment. As the popularity of this species increases, more and more African Fat-Tailed Gecko variants become accessible to eager owners. A popsicle orange or light grey is one of them.

Fat-tailed geckos have a body structure similar to leopard geckos, but they have a larger head and more robust feet. Hatchlings are typically 2 inches long and grow to be roughly 9 inches long. Males will have a broader head and be slightly larger than females.

Fat-tailed geckos have been known to live for 15-20 years in captivity when properly cared for.

Behaviour

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are highly docile, friendly, and calm lizards who spend their nights sleeping, basking, and occasionally searching for insects in the wild and in captivity. Unless they are severely threatened, they are unlikely to scratch or bite other animals or people over food or territory. During territorial disputes, to warn off other males, or to attract females, male African Fat-Tailed Geckos use quiet squeaks and clicks, and both sexes will squeak to ward off unwanted company. When they’re hunting, they’ll raise their tails and wave them around in the air to distract the victim before launching an attack. 

Lighting & Temperatures Requirements

Aft geckos are tough tiny creatures. They sleep in a hiding area during the day and are active

at night since they are nocturnal. These geckos do not require UVB lights. Any daylight should be turned off at night. During the day, keep your aft warm spot at 88-90 degrees. They are comfortable in the rest of the tank, which is kept at 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Use a temperature gauge that is of good quality. It’s fine if the temperature dips into the low 70s at night as long as they have a warm hide to retreat to.

A heat pad is the simplest way to provide a warm hide for your gecko. It should be positioned beneath the tank, with the hide inside on top of it. Part of the tank should always be cooler so your gecko may control its body temperature by going from one to the other.

Humidity

Humidity should be between 50 and 60 percent, but up to 70 percent would Be ok. This can be accomplished by using a humidity-retaining substrate and positioning your water bowl on the tank’s hot end. Sometimes you may need to mist the tank once or twice a week, but you may find that the tank maintains this humidity without needing much misting. You may need to mist everyday if the natural humidity in your area is particularly low. To check the humidity, you’ll need a humidity reader.

Caging

African fat-tailed geckos are terrestrial in nature. So they need a structure with more floor space than height. Adults can live either in a 20-foot cage or an 18-foot enclosure 18″ x 12″ x 18″. That size can accommodate 1-2 adult fat-tailed geckos for the rest of their lives. It’s best to form groups of one male and one female or all females. If you’re doing a trio, a larger cage, such as an 24″ x 18″ x 12″, will be required.

Trios consist of 1 male, 2 females, or 3 females. They will fight if there are more than one adult male in an enclosure. It’s also essential to keep the size of your African fat-tailed geckos similar. Don’t put a baby in the same room as an adult. When one is substantially larger than the other, the smaller is frequently bullied by the larger.

EcoBed Reptile Bedding can be used as a loose substrate. A solid substrate, such as the normal paper towels, can also be used.

Handling tips for African Fat Tailed Geckos

When you initially get your new pet gecko home, avoid the want to start playing with it right away. Allow at least two weeks for your new pet to settle in before beginning to handle it. You can introduce yourself if your gecko has gained confidence in their new environment and is eating regularly. Keep an eye on you from outside the enclosure. Allow the lizard to become familiar with your hand by placing it in the enclosure.

As juveniles, African-fat-tailed geckos are usually more distrustful than adults. However, they will gradually stop running away from your hand and become accustomed to your presence. This is the point at which you can begin to deal with them. However, just because you’ve made it this far doesn’t imply your pet trusts you. Trust and friendship as far as lizards are concerned take time and consistent handling.

Handling Technique

  • The entire body should be supported.
  • Slow down your motions.
  • Never grab them from above, chase them down, or drag them out of a hiding spot.
  • Allow the gecko to climb onto you willingly whenever feasible.
  • Give them a bug as a prize.
  • Leave them alone if they’re shedding and don’t pull on loose skin.

Feeding and Diet

In their natural habitat, African Fat-Tailed Geckos are carnivorous and are not known to consume any plant materials.

Their diet consists primarily of insects and other invertebrates that they encounter on the savannahs at night, such as various species of worms, crickets, and beetles. They may only like to consume live prey in captivity, but the rest of their diet is simple to fulfill.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos should be fed crickets and other larval insects like mealworms when kept in captivity. They’ll also need extra supplements, such as vitamin D3, to help them adjust to their new surroundings.

Owners can either ‘dust’ the insects with calcium or other vitamin power, or ‘gut load’ their feeder insects with these nutrients.

Crickets and mealworms are preferred by African Fat-Tailed Geckos. Waxworms, silkworms, hornworms, and pinky mice are occasionally provided to them:

  • Hatchlings under the age of four months should only be given 12 sized crickets and should be fed 5 insects every day.
  • Adults should eat 9 crickets or worms every day. Their crickets can be a little bigger (2/3 the size of a normal cricket).

If your Gecko doesn’t consume the prey, it should be removed within a few hours. In their tank, there should always be a shallow water dish with clean water; they won’t drink from it, but it will help preserve moisture.

Substrate Nature

Paper towels or newspaper work nicely as a substrate for an African Fat-Tailed Gecko’s enclosure. The most common and safe bedding alternative is coconut husk. A fine orchid bark or a sandy soil mix are used by certain owners. Although it is critical that sand is not utilised as a substrate on its own because it might cause digestive issues and harm to the digestive tract. Paper will make daily spot cleaning easier, but it will need to be replaced every 2-3 days. Only change the orchid bark or compressed coconut bedding once a week.

Substrate Types

Paper towels or newspaper

Since paper towels and newspapers are absorbent, they have no odor-controlling properties. The availability, cost, ease of clean-up, and absence of potential ingestion are all factors that owners like. It is plainly unnatural for any reptile, but it poses no significant concerns.

Advantages:

·   Affordable.

·   Easy to replace.

·   Odor-free, Dust-free.

Disadvantages:

·       Wet or damp newspaper cause bacterial infection

Coconut husk

One of the safest and most effective reptile bedding options is coconut husks or chips. It’s a must-have because it’s soft, comfortable, absorbent, and aerated to perfection. Its absorbency keeps odours at bay, holds moisture for longer, and maintains a suitable temperature in the room. You can use it according to your requirements. Coconut bedding is non-allergenic, biodegradable, reusable, and recyclable, as well as being easy to clean and store.

Advantages:

·   Very natural look

·   Self-cleaning and easy cleanup of droppings

·   Affordable and good value

Disadvantages:

·       May attract mites and bugs over time

Orchid bark

Orchid bark makes an excellent naturalistic substrate for tropical plants and terrariums. It adds a variety of advantages to more thorough mixtures and can also be used as a stand-alone substrate for particular plants.

Advantages:

·   It’s a natural material and looks and feels authentic.

·   Aerating soil, resisting compaction and providing drainage.

·   Increases water retention.

·       It’s sustainably sourced.

Disadvantages:

·   It will eventually break down.

·   It has an acidifying effect

Sandy soil mix

Soil Mixture is a soil-like substrate manufactured from a unique combination of peat moss, soil, sand, and carbon that provides the ideal environment for live-planted realistic or bioactive tropical terrariums. It encourages natural activities like burrowing and egg-laying since it mimics the soil found in tropical reptiles’ natural habitats. It’s also possible to add more sand to make it ideal for desert setups!

Advantages:

·   Create a natural look.

·   Reptiles like to borrow it.

Disadvantages:

·   May create skin infection.

Some Interesting facts about African Fat-Tailed Geckos

1. Their Tails Are Fat, as the Name Indicates

2. The Gecko is healthier if its tail is thicker.

3. African Fat-Tailed Geckos Do Not Interact Socially

4. African Fat-Tailed Geckos Display Individual Patterns

5. Insectivorous Fat-Tailed Geckos

6. These Geckos Have the Ability to Blink

7. African Geckos with Fat Tails Aren’t the Best Climbers

8. In captivity, African Fat-Tailed Geckos thrive.

giant-day-gecko-1CategoriesLizards Care and Habitat Pet caring and Habitat Pets Bedding
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Caring for your Pet Lizard – Giant Day Gecko

In the reptile trade, giant day geckos have grown highly popular. The likability of the species has been recognised by mainstream marketing, as evidenced by the now-famous Geico Gecko, which is considered to be modelled by a day gecko.

The giant day gecko has captivated reptile lovers due to its incredibly brilliant colours and appropriate size for a home terrarium. The crimson and blue blood day gecko, possibly the most beautiful lizards on the planet, has been developed by a select group of breeders. They are living works of art that are frequently displayed as a decorative focal point in a room or in a garden by their owners.

Appearance 

The head, back, and tail of giant day geckos are all crimson with red lines and spots. Their colours are bright, just like those of other day gecko species. However, agitated animals will take on darker tones of green.

The giant day gecko is the largest member of the day gecko family, as its title implies. Adult males can grow up to a foot in length. Females are usually 1 or 2 inches shorter than males. They have a thick body and are well-muscled. Giant day geckos can survive for a long time if properly cared for. They have been known to live for up to 20 years, but the usual lifespan is between 6 and 8 years.

Giant Day Gecko Lighting and Temperature

Giant day geckos are active during the day. The gecko’s vitamin D3 demand can be met by using a high-quality UVB light. To keep the temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit, use an incandescent light bulb with the necessary wattage. During the day, the temperature should be between 82 and 86 degrees, and at night, it should be between 75 and 82 degrees. This thermal gradient will be used by captive giant day geckos to thermoregulate to their ideal body temperature.

Humidity

All day geckos require a high level of humidity in their cages, ranging from 60% to 80%, depending on the species. To approve the humidity level, get a hygrometer for the humidity gauge. The use of live plants and an appropriate substrate, as well as regular misting of the tank, will assist maintain moisture. If you won’t be able to mist the cage during the day, put in an automatic mister or fogger that will add humidity at certain intervals.

Housing and Decoration

Although giant day geckos are adapted to a hot, humid climate, they require more heating to survive. Unlike other reptiles, they only require a basking temperature of roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheit and can become stressed if the temperature rises too high. A tall glass enclosure with front and top ventilation is recommended to reduce overheating and ensure appropriate airflow.

The enclosure does not retain much heat, a temperature gradient will be achieved from one side of the enclosure to the other as long as the room it is put in is cool. Giant day geckos enjoy climbing and spend the majority of their time above the ground. A number of hard wood decorations should be firmly in place to allow multiple routes up and down the enclosure to help with this. Although giant day geckos aren’t very shy, it’s ideal to keep the enclosure partially covered.

Dew on leaves and flowers provides a lot of hydration for giant day geckos, so make sure there are plenty of huge leaves and plants (real or artificial) to gather water when the enclosure is sprayed.

Cleaning

To thrive, giant day geckos, like other pets, require a clean habitat. Every day, spot clean as much as possible, with a comprehensive clean every 4 weeks or so.

Remove your animal, all decorations, and all bedding from the enclosure before cleaning it. After the enclosure is clean, disinfect it using a reptile-friendly disinfectant. These disinfectants usually work rapidly and only need to be left on for around 30 seconds; instructions are usually printed on the disinfectant’s container. After the disinfectant has taken effect, wipe the surfaces clean with a paper towel. You may wish to repeat this step a second time to make sure the enclosure is completely clean.

Similarly, you may clean your decorations by spraying them with disinfectant and thoroughly rinsing them with water before drying them and putting them back into the enclosure.

Food and Diet

Giant Day geckos are omnivorous, which means they eat a wide variety of plants, live insects, and fruit.

Brown crickets are a good choice for the live insect element of this diet. They are highly nutritious, somewhat easy to hunt for the gecko, readily available, and excellent value for money. If your gecko won’t eat these, black bugs and locust are excellent substitutes. You might want to give your gecko a treat now and then, and you could do so by feeding waxworms, calci worms, or mealworms. We generally only serve grubs and worms once or twice a week because they are rather fattening. The crested gecko diet, crested gecko classic, grubs n fruit, and mango diet are all appropriate meals for this species. Along with the livefood, they can be fed 3-4 times per week.

You can provide a tiny water bowl in the enclosure as a backup. Although you may never see the gecko drink from it, it should be replaced on a daily basis.

Handling

Day Geckos should only be handled if absolutely necessary. Their skin breaks and can come off, which is a remarkable adaptation. They are able to avoid predators as a result of this. They will heal, but it will be uncomfortable for them, which we want to avoid as their caregivers. Babies are notorious for being flighty. Keep in mind that you’re a colossal predator to them. Slowly approach them and, if feasible, pick them up from below. Don’t grasp them, and don’t grab their tail because it will fall off. Day Geckos are lovely and amazing animals and pets to have, however they should not be handled.

Common Health Problems

Geckos are susceptible to a number of health issues that can be treated by an exotics veterinarian.

  • Skin disorders: Geckos, like most other reptiles, need to lose their skin in order to grow and stay healthy. Unclean circumstances, insufficient humidity, or parasites can trigger partial sheds.
  • Parasitic infections: Parasitic infections can cause weight loss, bloody stools, vomiting, and skin diseases, and they require treatment with an antiparasitic medicine.
  • Metabolic bone disease: This potentially fatal sickness is caused by a calcium and vitamin D deficiency, and it causes weaker bones. If identified early, it can be treated.

Giant Day Gecko Substrate Nature

Many substrates meant for rain forest terrariums, such as peat/soil mixtures, coconut fibre, and different bark chips, can be used successfully. We recommend EcoBed Reptile Bedding, which is an ideal bedding option for your lovely pet. The sole stipulation is that the substrate particle size be large enough to prevent unintentional ingestion by the geckos when they are catching insect prey, as this could result in intestinal blockage.

Substrate Types

Coconut husk

EcoBed Reptile Bedding - Small Reptiles

One of the safest and most effective reptile bedding options is coconut husks or chips. It’s a must-have because it’s soft, comfortable, absorbent, and aerated to perfection. Its absorbency keeps odours at bay, holds moisture for longer, and maintains a suitable temperature in the room. You can use it according to your requirements. Coconut bedding is non-allergenic, biodegradable, reusable, and recyclable, as well as being easy to clean and store.

Advantages:

·   Very natural look

·   Self-cleaning and easy cleanup of droppings

·   Affordable and good value

Disadvantages:

·       May attract mites and bugs over time

Orchid bark

Orchid bark makes an excellent naturalistic substrate for tropical plants and terrariums. It adds a variety of advantages to more thorough mixtures and can also be used as a stand-alone substrate for particular plants.

Advantages:

·   It’s a natural material and looks and feels authentic.

·   Aerating soil, resisting compaction and providing drainage.

·   Increases water retention.

·       It’s sustainably sourced.

Disadvantages:

·   It will eventually break down.

·   It has an acidifying effect

Sandy soil mix

Soil Mixture is a soil-like substrate manufactured from a unique combination of peat moss, soil, sand, and carbon that provides the ideal environment for live-planted realistic or bioactive tropical terrariums. It encourages natural activities like burrowing and egg-laying since it mimics the soil found in tropical reptiles’ natural habitats. It’s also possible to add more sand to make it ideal for desert setups!

Advantages:

·   Create a natural look.

·   Reptiles like to borrow it.

Disadvantages:

·   May create skin infection.

Conclusion

Giant Day Geckos are gorgeous, large geckos. They are diurnal, which means they are active at different times of the day. While these geckos make fascinating terrarium pets, they are fast-moving animals that should not be handled on a regular basis.
Reptile petting is one such occasion habit seen in rarity, for you to raise them in full conscience  need as much information as possible, read more for a complete guide on each pet to wish to raise.