Fan-fingered gecko (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii)

Short answers

Fan-fingered gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×50 cm (height matters – a climber).

Fan-fingered gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot ~35 °C (basking on rock), at night 22–24 °C.

Fan-fingered gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (desert-grade UVB).

Fan-fingered gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~8–10 years.

Fan-fingered gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

~35 °C (basking on rock)

Humidity

40–60 % (higher at night, mist occasionally)

UVB

Recommended (desert-grade UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm (height matters – a climber)

Substrate

Sand-loam, rock structures, cork tubes, bark

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, locusts, flies, roaches)

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 14–20 cm total length (snout–vent length up to approx. 9.5 cm, the tail makes up about half)

Life expectancy

~8–10 years

Origin

North Africa and the Middle East (rocky deserts, arid steppe)

Protection status

—

Brumation

A slight winter cooling is possible (to stimulate breeding)

Cohabitation

A pair or group with one male; the males are aggressive over territory. 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 quick, climbing-keen rock gecko of dry habitats; it needs warmth, good ventilation and UV. Very fast and fond of jumping – take care when opening the enclosure.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) – 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
• Elegant gecko (Stenodactylus stenodactylus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Eastern Canary gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Spotted thick-toed gecko (Pachydactylus maculatus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Fan-fingered gecko (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm (height matters – a climber)), substrate (Sand-loam, rock structures, cork tubes, 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.