Scorpion-tailed gecko (Pristurus carteri)

Short answers

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

60×40×40 cm for one animal (a desert enclosure with stones and branches).

Scorpion-tailed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C, basking spot up to 40 °C (local basking spot), at night 20–25 °C.

Scorpion-tailed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (diurnal and sun-loving; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5).

Scorpion-tailed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Scorpion-tailed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C

Night temperature

20–25 °C

Basking spot

up to 40 °C (local basking spot)

Humidity

30–50 % (dry; one spot-sized humid hide)

UVB

UVB needed (diurnal and sun-loving; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×40 cm for one animal (a desert enclosure with stones and branches)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with rock structures and clay caves, dry

Feeding

Food

Small insects (micro crickets, small crickets, fruit flies, firebrats); calcium and vitamins matter

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 8–10 cm total length (SVL ~5 cm)

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

The Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Yemen, the UAE among others), arid habitats

Protection status

No CITES; no special protected status – no registration duty

Brumation

No strict winter rest; a slight seasonal drop in temperature or photoperiod is possible (not essential)

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the least stressful option. A harem/group of one male with several females is also possible; males are strongly territorial (threatening with the tail rolled over the back) and must never be housed together.

Notes

A diurnal small gecko, very fast and shy – not an animal to stroke, and it takes stress badly. Markedly less keeper data than for the standard species; the figures are cross-checked conservatively from several care sheets.

Do you keep this species?

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Scorpion-tailed gecko (Pristurus carteri) currently offered

• 1.1 Skorpionschwanzgecko - Pristurus carteri "Masirah island" – Auerbach in der Oberpfalz · 400 €

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Related species

• Arabian short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bastard's big-headed gecko (Paroedura bastardi) – Beginner
• Common barking gecko (Ptenopus garrulus) – Intermediate
• Boettger's wall gecko (Tarentola boettgeri) – Beginner
• Bibron's thick-toed gecko (Pachydactylus bibronii) – Beginner
• Elegant gecko (Stenodactylus stenodactylus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Fan-fingered gecko (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii) – Intermediate
• Eastern Canary gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Scorpion-tailed gecko (Pristurus carteri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×40 cm for one animal (a desert enclosure with stones and branches)), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures and clay caves, dry), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.