Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus)

Short answers

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

60×45×80 cm for a pair — these species climb.

Japanese gecko: What temperature does it need?

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

Japanese gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Japanese gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Japanese gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

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

60×45×80 cm for a pair — these species climb

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

10–14 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Japan, Korea, eastern China

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Winterruhe in der kalten Jahreszeit bei deutlich kühleren Temperaturen

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is least stressful. A pair (1.1) works in an enclosure with several crevice hides; drawback: the female is harassed for mating and there is competition for hides. Never keep two males together.

Notes

It copes with markedly cooler temperatures and needs a genuine winter rest.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Chinese gecko (Gekko chinensis) – Intermediate
• Rock gecko (Gekko petricolus) – Intermediate
• Golden gecko (Gekko badenii) – Beginner
• Grossmann's gecko (Gekko grossmanni) – Intermediate
• Horsfield's gecko (Gekko horsfieldii) – Intermediate
• Kuhl's flying gecko (Gekko kuhli) – Intermediate
• Spotted house gecko (Gekko monarchus) – Beginner
• Reeves' gecko (Gekko reevesii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×80 cm for a pair — these species climb), 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.