Mombasa dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus mombasicus)

Short answers

Mombasa dwarf gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm for a pair.

Mombasa dwarf gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot Small basking spot 30–33 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Mombasa dwarf gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential for the diurnal species (UVB 5.0).

Mombasa dwarf gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Mombasa dwarf gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–29 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

Small basking spot 30–33 °C

Humidity

60–75 %, mist in the morning

UVB

Essential for the diurnal species (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm for a pair

Substrate

Waldboden-Substrat (Kokoshumus, Torf, etwas Sand) über Drainage, lebende Pflanzen, dazu dicke Äste oder Stammstücke (etwa 10–20 cm) und Rinde; Bambus wird eher gemieden

Feeding

Food

Small insects such as firebrats, fruit flies and micro crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–8 cm

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Coastal Kenya

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

Keeping them in pairs (one male, one female) is the least stressful option. Breeders successfully keep one male with two females in about 50×50×60 cm – the drawback: competition for basking and feeding spots, so offer several of them. Never keep two males together.

Notes

A coastal form; it likes it warm and bright.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Angolan dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus angularis) – Intermediate
• Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) – Intermediate
• Conrau's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus conraui) – Intermediate
• Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus luteopicturatus) – Beginner
• Electric blue gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) – Intermediate
• Cape dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus capensis) – Beginner
• Kim Howell's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus kimhowelli) – Intermediate
• Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mombasa dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus mombasicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm for a pair), substrate (Waldboden-Substrat (Kokoshumus, Torf, etwas Sand) über Drainage, lebende Pflanzen, dazu dicke Äste oder Stammstücke (etwa 10–20 cm) und Rinde; Bambus wird eher gemieden), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.