Angolan dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus angularis)

Short answers

Angolan dwarf gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×60 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space).

Angolan dwarf gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C only at a small sunny spot in the upper part of the enclosure; the rest of the enclosure stays at 25–29 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Angolan dwarf gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential: this species is diurnal and needs UVB (5.0) as well as bright ambient lighting, around 14 hours in summer and around 10 hours in winter.

Angolan dwarf gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Angolan dwarf gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–29 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C only at a small sunny spot in the upper part of the enclosure; the rest of the enclosure stays at 25–29 °C

Humidity

60–70 % during the day, up to about 90 % at night; mist in the morning

UVB

Essential: this species is diurnal and needs UVB (5.0) as well as bright ambient lighting, around 14 hours in summer and around 10 hours in winter.

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×60 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space)

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo

Feeding

Food

Small live insects up to about 5 mm: Drosophila, micro-crickets, firebrats, seed beetles, springtails; every other feeding dusted with calcium and vitamins. Plus unsweetened fruit purée or nectar once a week.

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

6–8 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

Malawi (type locality Shire Highlands), Zambia, southwest Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and southeast DR Congo (Katanga); miombo woodland and open tree savanna. Not found in Angola.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

In pairs; never keep males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

A small arboreal species. Rare in the trade.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) – Intermediate
• Conrau's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus conraui) – Intermediate
• Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus luteopicturatus) – Beginner
• Electric blue gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) – Intermediate
• Cape dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus capensis) – Beginner
• Kim Howell's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus kimhowelli) – Intermediate
• Mombasa dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus mombasicus) – Intermediate
• Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Angolan dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus angularis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×60 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space)), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.