Tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

Short answers

Tropical house gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×50 cm.

Tropical house gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Tropical house gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Tropical house gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Tropical house gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–31 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×50 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, cork bark, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, flies

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

11–14 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa; introduced to the Americas

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; considered invasive in some regions – never release it

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A group (1.2). Two males will not work together — they fight over territory and the warm spot until one is seriously injured or spends its life in a corner. One male with several females, on the other hand, works reliably. What matters is several warm spots and hides so that subordinate animals can get out of the way, and separate feeding as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

An undemanding follower of human settlement, often kept as a beginner's or feeder species. Like H. frenatus it breeds very readily; do not release it outdoors.

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

• Common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) – Beginner
• Termite hill gecko (Hemidactylus triedrus) – Intermediate
• Giant leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus giganteus) – Intermediate
• Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) – Beginner
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus, cork bark, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.