Jewelled gecko (Strophurus elderi)

Short answers

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

80×40×50 cm for a pair.

Jewelled gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot Basking spot 35–38 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Jewelled gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Jewelled gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Jewelled gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 35–38 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm for a pair

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, plus bark, branches and flat stones

Feeding

Food

Crickets, roaches and house crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–9 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

Central Australia

Protection status

Australia does not export wildlife — only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks at 14–18 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping in pairs (1.1) or as a harem (1.2) is possible; males must never be housed together. Several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

Very small, living in spinifex grass. It needs dense, fine structure rather than open ground.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Northern spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) – Intermediate
• Southern spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus intermedius) – Intermediate
• Golden-tailed gecko (Strophurus taenicauda) – Intermediate
• Kristin's spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus krisalys) – Intermediate
• Eastern spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus williamsi) – Intermediate
• Western shield spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus wellingtonae) – Intermediate
• Western spiny-tailed gecko (Strophurus spinigerus) – Intermediate
• Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Jewelled gecko (Strophurus elderi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, plus bark, branches and flat stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.