Butterfly bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus papilionoides)

Short answers

Butterfly bent-toed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×60 cm for a pair.

Butterfly bent-toed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot — at most a warm place up to 30 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Butterfly bent-toed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential (nocturnal), but weak UVB is still beneficial.

Butterfly bent-toed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Butterfly bent-toed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot — at most a warm place up to 30 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Not essential (nocturnal), but weak UVB is still beneficial

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×60 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate, permanently slightly damp, plus cork tubes and vertical pieces of bark

Feeding

Food

Crickets, roaches, house crickets and firebrats, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–18 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

North-eastern Thailand

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; in winter just somewhat cooler and drier

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs, as 1.1 or 1.2; males never together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the best hides until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females generally get along but need their own hides; feed animals of different sizes separately.

Notes

It is named for the pale spotted pattern on the nape. A quiet species, easy to keep.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Butterfly bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus papilionoides) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Agusan bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus agusanensis) – Intermediate
• Chanhome's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus chanhomeae) – Intermediate
• Elok bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus elok) – Intermediate
• Intermediate bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus intermedius) – Intermediate
• Kinabalu bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus baluensis) – Intermediate
• Short-palmed bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus) – Intermediate
• Malayan bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus pulchellus) – Intermediate
• Malaysian bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus malayanus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Butterfly bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus papilionoides) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×60 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate, permanently slightly damp, plus cork tubes and vertical pieces of bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.