Robust bavayia (Bavayia robusta)
Geckos · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Robust bavayia (Bavayia robusta) (origin: New Caledonia). Adult size around 15–20 cm Gesamtlänge (Kopf-Rumpf 8–10 cm). Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Robust bavayia: How big does the enclosure need to be?
45×45×50 cm.
Robust bavayia: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 17–21 °C.
Robust bavayia: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).
Robust bavayia: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Robust bavayia: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 20–26 °C
- Night temperature
- 17–21 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- 65–80 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 2 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 45×45×50 cm
- Substrate
- Coco humus, cork bark, climbing branches
Feeding
- Food
- Insects, fruit purée (CGD)
- Feeding interval
- 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 15–20 cm Gesamtlänge (Kopf-Rumpf 8–10 cm)
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- New Caledonia
- Protection status
- Export prohibited – only European captive-bred animals
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly is the safe choice. One male with one or more females is also possible — the animals are considered semi-communal — but with a drawback: males court very roughly, to the point of females dying from exhaustion or injury, so watch the females closely and separate them in time. There is still little experience with several females. Two males must never be kept together; they fight. Always provide several hides and thin climbing branches.
Notes
The most robust Bavayia species. Nocturnal, hidden under bark by day – flat pieces of cork matter more than open branches.
Do you keep this species?
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Robust bavayia (Bavayia robusta) currently offered
- Bavayia Robusta NZ 2023 – Amelinghausen · 60 €
Related species
- Bavay's gecko (Bavayia sauvagii) – Beginner
- Agricola's chameleon gecko (Eurydactylodes agricolae) – Intermediate
- Mossy New Caledonian gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua) – Beginner to intermediate
- Gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) – Beginner
- Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) – Beginner
- New Caledonian giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) – Intermediate
- Jalu mossy gecko (Mniarogekko jalu) – Intermediate
- Rough-snouted giant gecko (Rhacodactylus trachycephalus) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Robust bavayia (Bavayia robusta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus, cork bark, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 2 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavayia_robusta, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bavayia&species=robusta, https://responsibleherpetoculture.foundation/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/keeping-of-robust-forest-bavayia.pdf, https://www.deviantart.com/geckos-galore/journal/Gecko-of-the-Month-Feature-Bavayia-324772098
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).