African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

Short answers

African fat-tailed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 80×40×40 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×40×40 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

African fat-tailed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot Warm floor zone ~30–32 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

African fat-tailed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional (weak UVB is beneficial).

African fat-tailed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

African fat-tailed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

Warm floor zone ~30–32 °C

Humidity

50–60 % (by day), ~70 % at night; a humid box

UVB

Optional (weak UVB is beneficial)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×40×40 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×40×40 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Diggable and absorbent (soil, loam and sand), a humid hide box

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, crickets, roaches, meal or wax worms)

Feeding interval

Adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

♂ up to 24 cm, ♀ up to ~20 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

West Africa (savannah and dry forest)

Protection status

—

Brumation

An optional slight cool spell of ~4–8 weeks (to stimulate breeding)

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option; the species is solitary in the wild. A pair or harem (1 male + several females) is possible, but every animal needs its own warm spot and hide, and animals of different sizes must be fed separately. Males are incompatible — several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner.

Notes

A robust, nocturnal ground gecko; a damp hide box for shedding matters. Not pure sand as substrate (risk of impaction). A good beginner's gecko.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Taylor's fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx taylori) – Intermediate
• Bawangling leopard gecko (Goniurosaurus bawanglingensis) – Intermediate
• Cave gecko – Araneus (Goniurosaurus araneus) – Intermediate
• Cave gecko – Cat Ba (Goniurosaurus catbaensis) – Expert
• Cave gecko – Hainan (Goniurosaurus hainanensis) – Intermediate
• Cave gecko – Kuroiwa (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae) – Intermediate
• Cave gecko – Lichtenfelder (Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi) – Intermediate
• Cave gecko – Lui (Goniurosaurus luii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×40×40 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×40×40 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Diggable and absorbent (soil, loam and sand), a humid hide box), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.