Psychedelic rock gecko (Cnemaspis psychedelica)

Short answers

Psychedelic rock gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×60 cm.

Psychedelic rock gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Psychedelic rock gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Psychedelic rock gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Psychedelic rock gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–29 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×60 cm

Substrate

Granite rock structures with crevices, coco humus, planting

Feeding

Food

Small house crickets, crickets, wax moths

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–10 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Vietnam – only two tiny islands (Hòn Khoai)

Protection status

CITES I / EU Annex A – sale only with a valid EU commercial-use certificate

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs or as a harem: one male with several females works reliably, as does a single pair. Two males, however, do not work together — they fight over territory and the best hiding spots until one is seriously injured or permanently pushed into a corner. Multiple hides are important so subordinate animals can retreat, along with separate feeding once animals differ in size.

Notes

Brilliant orange legs on a blue-grey body – discovered in 2010 and immediately threatened by poaching for the pet trade, hence Appendix I. Without yellow CITES papers any sale is prohibited.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Agusan bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus agusanensis) – Intermediate
• Common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) – Beginner
• Chanhome's bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus chanhomeae) – Intermediate
• Chinese gecko (Gekko chinensis) – Intermediate
• Termite hill gecko (Hemidactylus triedrus) – Intermediate
• Elok bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus elok) – Intermediate
• Rock gecko (Gekko petricolus) – Intermediate
• Golden gecko (Gekko badenii) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Psychedelic rock gecko (Cnemaspis psychedelica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×60 cm), substrate (Granite rock structures with crevices, coco humus, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.