Description
This has got to be one of my favorite geckos of all time. I
wanted to add these to my collection for years before I finally managed
to get some. I have since built up a nice sized diverse group. Being a
Diplodactylus they are a small gecko averaging around 3”. They are very
hardy and actually one of the largest species within the Diplodactylus
genus making them an excellent candidate as a first Diplodactylus for
someone looking to start a collection of this amazing family of geckos.
While these may be your first, I can guarantee they will always be your
favorite! They have the most amazing colors and patterns. There are no
two even close to alike, which makes it exciting because you never know
what the next baby hatching out of that little egg is going to look
like. There are never enough of these to go around.
General Care Information
These geckos are such a pleasure to keep and there is nothing
to it. I am going to give you information on the basics of a breeder set
up for these guys, but you can certainly utilize a more naturalistic
vivarium if you choose to set them up for display. I have mine set up in
Boaphile Plastics “Twenty Shoe RhinoRaxx” racks. These are very nice
racks, which I highly recommend, but any shoebox rack will work just
fine. I keep them in shoebox racks from hatchlings on up to adult
breeding pairs. The temps are in the upper 80’s at the warm end of the
cage. I keep them in a relatively dry environment with a red sand
substrate ˝” deep. In the box I keep a small 3” plastic plant saucer
turned upside down with a hole cut in the side. I keep this at the warm
end of the box over the heat. On the cool end I keep a small Rubbermaid
container with a hole cut in the lid filled with a damp peat moss / sand
mix. They utilize this as a humid box to assist in shedding and the
females will usually use it as an egg-laying container. Females of this
species always seem to shed just days before laying a clutch, so if you
have a female that you know is gravid and she sheds you will want to
start watching her closely and make sure she has an appropriate place to
lay her eggs. I feed all of my geckos in the evening as they are
nocturnal and this seems to work best for me. I feed them appropriately
sized crickets or Blaptica dubia, which have been dusted with a calcium
supplement such as Miner-All (Indoor Formula). They do not require much to
drink. I gently mist them every other day and they get all the moisture
they need this way. These are the basics you need to know to
successfully keep this species based on my experience and what has
worked for me. I am always happy to supply my customers with additional
information or answer any questions you may have along the way.
Click thumbnails to view
larger image.
Click HERE to view more photos in my
Diplodactylus galeatus
album.
