Rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus asper)

Short answers

Rough knob-tailed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×40 cm.

Rough knob-tailed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Rough knob-tailed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Rough knob-tailed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Rough knob-tailed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×40 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam 10–15 cm for digging, stone slabs, a cork hide

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–15 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Queensland – rocky landscapes

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping animals singly is the least stressful option. In the related spiny species a pair or one male with two females also works in a larger enclosure with several hides – the drawback: competition for food, separate feeding is necessary, and the male harasses the females. Never keep two males together.

Notes

A strongly spined ground gecko with the typical knob tail. Nocturnal, and it digs burrows. The tail is shed under stress and grows back only partially – little handling.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus asper) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Delean's knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus deleani) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus cinctus) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri) – Intermediate
• Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus levis) – Intermediate
• Starred knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus stellatus) – Intermediate
• Centralian knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus amyae) – Intermediate
• Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus laevissimus) – Intermediate
• Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus asper) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×40 cm), substrate (Sand-loam 10–15 cm for digging, stone slabs, a cork hide), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.