Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus levis)

Short answers

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

50×40×30 cm for one animal (ground-dwelling, burrowing).

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

Daytime 26–32 °C (gradient), basking spot 30–32 °C floor warming zone (no spot lamp needed), at night 18–22 °C.

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

UVB: UVB not essential (nocturnal), a low dose does no harm.

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

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C (gradient)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C floor warming zone (no spot lamp needed)

Humidity

30–50 % (dry; a slightly damp digging zone or humid hide)

UVB

UVB not essential (nocturnal), a low dose does no harm

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×30 cm for one animal (ground-dwelling, burrowing)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in (slightly damp so burrows hold), stones and bark as structure

Feeding

Food

Small insects and larvae, preferably small roaches and crickets

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 12–14 cm total length (SVL up to ~10 cm; N. l. levis is the largest subspecies)

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

Australia (arid and semi-arid zones; burrowing, in small earth holes)

Protection status

No CITES; Australia prohibits the export of wild-caught animals → only captive-bred animals in the trade; no special protection in Germany

Brumation

A slight winter drop in temperature and photoperiod (the cool nights of central Australia) to stimulate breeding; no true brumation

Cohabitation

Keeping animals singly is the least stressful option; every animal eats and digs undisturbed. A pair or one male with two to three females works in a larger enclosure with several hides – the drawback: competition for food, separate feeding is necessary, and gravid females are harassed by the male. Never keep two males together; they fight to the point of serious injury.

Notes

A smooth-skinned knob-tailed gecko, fond of digging – a damp digging zone for shedding matters. Rack keeping is possible. It cannot regenerate its tail like other geckos.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Delean's knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus deleani) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus cinctus) – Intermediate
• Banded knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri) – Intermediate
• Rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus asper) – 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 Smooth knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus levis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×30 cm for one animal (ground-dwelling, burrowing)), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in (slightly damp so burrows hold), stones and bark as structure), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.