Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus)

Short answers

Yellow-headed dwarf gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

30×30×45 cm.

Yellow-headed dwarf gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Yellow-headed dwarf gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Yellow-headed dwarf gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Yellow-headed dwarf gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

30×30×45 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, bamboo, planting

Feeding

Food

Small insects, fruit purée

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–9 cm

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping them in pairs (one male, one female) is the least stressful option. A harem of one male and two females also works in 40×40×60 cm – this is how the species lives in the wild – the drawback: the females compete for basking and feeding spots. Never keep two males together.

Notes

The male has a yellow head. A straightforward and legal substitute for L. williamsi if you are looking for a small day gecko.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Angolan dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus angularis) – Intermediate
• Chobe dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus chobiensis) – Intermediate
• Conrau's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus conraui) – Intermediate
• Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus luteopicturatus) – Beginner
• Electric blue gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi) – Intermediate
• Cape dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus capensis) – Beginner
• Kim Howell's dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus kimhowelli) – Intermediate
• Mombasa dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus mombasicus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yellow-headed dwarf gecko (Lygodactylus picturatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (30×30×45 cm), substrate (Coco humus, bamboo, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.