Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus)

Short answers

Cat gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×60 cm.

Cat gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C (COOL), basking spot No basking spot, at night 18–21 °C.

Cat gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Cat gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Cat gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×60 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, thin climbing branches, planting

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, wax moths

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra – montane rainforest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; captive-bred animals are rare

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep singly: this is the least stressful option for the shy, solitary species. A pair (1.1) is possible, for example for breeding, with at least 45x45x60 cm, many hides and retreats; the drawback is that the female can be stressed by constant pursuit, so breeders separate the animals outside the mating season. Two males must never be kept together.

Notes

The only climbing eyelid gecko; it curls its tail like a cat. A montane rainforest species: cool and permanently humid, and temperatures above 28 °C are quickly lethal. It feeds sparingly – weight checks matter.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) – Intermediate
• Central American banded gecko (Coleonyx mitratus) – Beginner
• Common giant ground gecko (Chondrodactylus angulifer) – Intermediate
• Auckland green gecko (Naultinus elegans) – Expert
• Northland green gecko (Naultinus grayii) – Experts
• Turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda) – Intermediate
• Texas banded gecko (Coleonyx brevis) – Beginner
• Western banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×60 cm), substrate (Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, thin climbing branches, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.