Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus)
Geckos · Difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge
Key facts and care guidance for Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) (origin: Sand deserts and dune fields of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen), plus southern Iran and southern Jordan). Adult size around 6–8 cm. Life expectancy 5–10 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Arabian short-fingered gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×40×40 cm for a pair.
Arabian short-fingered gecko: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot Basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Arabian short-fingered gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0), weaker for nocturnal species.
Arabian short-fingered gecko: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 5–10 years.
Arabian short-fingered gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?
Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 28–33 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- Basking spot 35–40 °C
- Humidity
- 30–50 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0), weaker for nocturnal species
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×40×40 cm for a pair
- Substrate
- A sand-loam mix they can dig in, plus stone slabs and roots
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, roaches and house crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins
- Feeding interval
- adults 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 6–8 cm
- Life expectancy
- 5–10 years
- Origin
- Sand deserts and dune fields of the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen), plus southern Iran and southern Jordan
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler rest of 6–8 weeks at 16–20 °C
- Cohabitation
- 1.1 or 1.2; 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
Very small and delicate. Fine food is needed.
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Related species
- Elegant gecko (Stenodactylus stenodactylus) – Beginner to intermediate
- Petrie's short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus petrii) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Slevin's short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus slevini) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Doria's short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus doriae) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Bastard's big-headed gecko (Paroedura bastardi) – Beginner
- Common barking gecko (Ptenopus garrulus) – Intermediate
- Boettger's wall gecko (Tarentola boettgeri) – Beginner
- Bibron's thick-toed gecko (Pachydactylus bibronii) – Beginner
What you need to start
To keep Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, plus stone slabs and roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 2 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: reptile-database.reptarium.cz, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, zenodo.org, einrichtungsbeispiele.de, en.wikipedia.org
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).