Giant leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus giganteus)

Short answers

Giant leaf-toed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot Warm place up to 32 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Giant leaf-toed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Giant leaf-toed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Giant leaf-toed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Giant leaf-toed gecko: Can several be kept together?

Singly or in pairs; never two males together.

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–31 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

Warm place up to 32 °C

Humidity

65–80 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×60 cm für ein Tier, für ein Paar ab 60×45×80 cm (Baumbewohner, Höhe wichtig)

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate, plus sturdy cork trunks and pieces of bark set vertically

Feeding

Food

Robust insects such as roaches, locusts and crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–22 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

South-eastern India

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Singly or in pairs; never two males together. This is not directly documented for the species itself but applies to the genus Hemidactylus, in which males are territorial and fight over territory.

Notes

Unusually large for the genus. A rock dweller.

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Related species

• Common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) – Beginner
• Termite hill gecko (Hemidactylus triedrus) – Intermediate
• Tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) – Beginner
• Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) – Beginner
• Agusan bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus agusanensis) – Intermediate
• Chanhome's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus chanhomeae) – Intermediate
• Chinese gecko (Gekko chinensis) – Intermediate
• Elok bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus elok) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus giganteus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×60 cm für ein Tier, für ein Paar ab 60×45×80 cm (Baumbewohner, Höhe wichtig)), substrate (Forest-floor substrate, plus sturdy cork trunks and pieces of bark set vertically), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.