Rough-snouted giant gecko (Rhacodactylus trachycephalus)

Short answers

Rough-snouted giant gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×100 cm.

Rough-snouted giant gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot 27 °C, at night 17–20 °C.

Rough-snouted giant gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended.

Rough-snouted giant gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Rough-snouted giant gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

17–20 °C

Basking spot

27 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Weak UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×100 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, dense planting

Feeding

Food

Fruit purée, insects, occasionally nestlings

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–30 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

The Île des Pins, New Caledonia

Protection status

Strictly protected, export prohibited – captive-bred animals only

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Singly or as a pair. Both work: keeping them singly is always safe, and a pair works as long as both animals are roughly the same size and are fed separately. As soon as one animal refuses food, loses condition or shows injuries, separate them — that is not an exception but the normal case you plan for.

Notes

Very rare and expensive, and live-bearing (an exception among geckos). Keep it cool and choose a quiet spot; considered bitey.

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-snouted giant gecko (Rhacodactylus trachycephalus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Gargoyle gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) – Beginner
• New Caledonian giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) – Intermediate
• Agricola's chameleon gecko (Eurydactylodes agricolae) – Intermediate
• Bavay's gecko (Bavayia sauvagii) – Beginner
• Mossy New Caledonian gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua) – Beginner to intermediate
• Crested gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) – Beginner
• Jalu mossy gecko (Mniarogekko jalu) – Intermediate
• Robust bavayia (Bavayia robusta) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough-snouted giant gecko (Rhacodactylus trachycephalus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm), substrate (Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, dense 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.