Turner's thick-toed gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri)

Short answers

Turner's thick-toed gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×50 cm.

Turner's thick-toed gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–33 °C, basking spot 36 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

Turner's thick-toed gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Turner's thick-toed gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Turner's thick-toed gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–33 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

36 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stacked stone slabs, cork bark

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Southern Africa

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

In pairs — males strictly kept apart, 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 robust rock gecko, tough and long-lived. The males are strikingly white-spotted. It needs tip-proof stone structures with narrow crevices – it does not dig.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Turner's thick-toed gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Common giant ground gecko (Chondrodactylus angulifer) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Turner's thick-toed gecko (Chondrodactylus turneri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stacked stone slabs, cork bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.