Tessellated gecko (Diplodactylus tessellatus)

Short answers

Tessellated gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×30×30 cm.

Tessellated gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

Tessellated gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Tessellated gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Tessellated gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

35–50 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×30×30 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, a cork hide

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, mealworm larvae

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–10 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Eastern and central Australia

Protection status

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

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

In pairs or as a harem (1.2) — two males must never be kept together, they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently gives way. Females generally get along but need their own heat and hiding spots; feed separately if they differ in size.

Notes

A small, very robust ground gecko for compact desert terrariums. It stores fat in its thick tail. It readily takes up soil crevices under stone slabs.

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

• Fat-tailed diplodactylus (Diplodactylus conspicillatus) – Intermediate
• Ranges stone gecko (Diplodactylus furcosus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Eastern stone gecko (Diplodactylus vittatus) – Intermediate
• Helmeted gecko (Diplodactylus galeatus) – Intermediate
• Western stone gecko (Diplodactylus granariensis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Thick-tailed gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Broad-tailed gecko (Phyllurus platurus) – Intermediate
• Delean's knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus deleani) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tessellated gecko (Diplodactylus tessellatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×30×30 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, 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.