Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)

Short answers

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

50×50×60 cm for one animal (climbing surfaces: stone, slate, cork).

Moorish gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 33–35 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Moorish gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (crepuscular to diurnal, basks; Ferguson zone 2, UV index 2–3).

Moorish gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years (in captivity, sometimes longer).

Moorish gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

33–35 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

40–60 % (mist lightly in the evening, dry by day)

UVB

UVB recommended (crepuscular to diurnal, basks; Ferguson zone 2, UV index 2–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×60 cm for one animal (climbing surfaces: stone, slate, cork)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with rock structures and slate slabs

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, house crickets, roaches, locusts), occasionally wax moth larvae

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles almost daily

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years (in captivity, sometimes longer)

Origin

The western Mediterranean (North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Italy)

Protection status

No CITES; Bern Convention Appendix III; not specially protected in Germany (not native) – no registration duty

Brumation

Yes – a winter rest of about 2–3 months at 12–18 °C; important for health and breeding

Cohabitation

In pairs or as a harem (one male with several females) — both avoid territorial fights between males, which otherwise inevitably meet. Females generally get along. Two males must never be kept together; they fight seriously over territory and the basking spot. Enough visual barriers and several hides give lower-ranking animals somewhere to retreat.

Notes

A robust beginner's species. A common mistake is keeping it too humid. Do not skip the winter rest. It can form territories in group keeping – watch the females.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Boettger's wall gecko (Tarentola boettgeri) – Beginner
• Eastern Canary gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• La Gomera wall gecko (Tarentola gomerensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Helmethead gecko (Tarentola chazaliae) – Intermediate
• Tenerife wall gecko (Tarentola delalandii) – Beginner
• White-spotted wall gecko (Tarentola annularis) – Beginner
• Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bastard's big-headed gecko (Paroedura bastardi) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×60 cm for one animal (climbing surfaces: stone, slate, cork)), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures and slate slabs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.