Centralian knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus amyae)

Short answers

Centralian knob-tailed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×30 cm for one animal (the largest knob-tailed species, robust).

Centralian knob-tailed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime warm side 30–32 °C, cool side 24–26 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C floor warming zone (no spot lamp needed – floor heat), at night 20–24 °C.

Centralian knob-tailed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal), a low dose does no harm.

Centralian knob-tailed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Centralian knob-tailed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

warm side 30–32 °C, cool side 24–26 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C floor warming zone (no spot lamp needed – floor heat)

Humidity

30–40 % (dry; a humid hide or moist box for shedding)

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal), a low dose does no harm

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×30 cm for one animal (the largest knob-tailed species, robust)

Substrate

Fine sand with a coco or loam content (diggable, it holds burrows), a damp zone under a hide

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms, wax moth larvae); aggressive feeders

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles every other day or daily

Key facts

Adult size

Männchen etwa 15 cm, Weibchen bis etwa 17 cm Gesamtlänge (KRL bis 13,5 cm); größte Nephrurus-Art, robust

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Central Australia (rocky arid regions around Alice Springs)

Protection status

No CITES; Australia prohibits the export of wild-caught animals → only captive-bred animals in the trade; no special protection in Germany

Brumation

A slight winter drop (in temperature and photoperiod) to stimulate breeding; no true brumation

Cohabitation

Keeping animals singly is the least stressful option: every animal eats in peace and none is pushed aside. A pair or one male with two females is also possible in a larger enclosure (from about 80×45 cm floor space) with several hides – the drawback: competition for food, separate feeding is necessary, and the male harasses the females during the breeding season. Never keep two males together.

Notes

The largest knob-tailed gecko; it can NOT shed its tail, and hisses or barks when threatened. It seals its hide with damp sand. A damp box for shedding matters. Rack keeping with floor heat is usual.

Do you keep this species?

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

Centralian knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus amyae) currently offered

• Rauer Knopfschwanzgecko – Villingen-Schwenningen · 150 €

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Related species

• Delean's knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus deleani) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus cinctus) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri) – Intermediate
• Rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus asper) – Intermediate
• Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus levis) – Intermediate
• Starred knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus stellatus) – Intermediate
• Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus laevissimus) – Intermediate
• Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Centralian knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus amyae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×30 cm for one animal (the largest knob-tailed species, robust)), substrate (Fine sand with a coco or loam content (diggable, it holds burrows), a damp zone under a hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.