Fat-Tailed Gecko  (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

FAMILY     Gekkonidae

DISTRIBUTION  The Fat Tailed Gecko is found throughout western Africa.

SIZE  The adult size of this particular gecko is on average around 6-9 inches in length.

LIFESPAN  The average lifespan of the Fat Tailed Gecko in captivity is approximately 14-20 years.

INTRODUCTION  The Fat Tailed Gecko is very similar to the Leopard Gecko in many ways but unlike the Leopard Gecko who's pattern becomes reticulated with age the Fat Tailed patterns stay precise and retained throughout their life. Once only available as wild caught they are now becoming more available as captive bred specimens.

HOUSING For a single Fat Tailed Gecko the vivarium should measure at least 24ins long x 12ins deep x 15ins high, but for a pair or trio should measure 30ins long x 15ins deep x 15ins high. There should be plenty of hiding places in the vivarium and there should be only one male in the group as if there is more than one male they will fight  and could seriously injury or even kill each other. The decor of the vivarium should have plenty of rocks and branches, cork bark and plants. They should also have access to a medium sized water bowl at all times.

SUBSTRATE  A moisture retentive substrate such as coconut bark, cypress bed, forest bed or jungle bed can be placed next to a dust free sand, doing this provides them with some humidity from the moistened substrate and somewhere to dig in the sand area, but you could also use something as simple as paper towel.

HEAT & LIGHTING   Fat Tailed Geckos should have temperatures of around 25°c (78°f) at the cool end with a hot spot reaching approximately 30°c (86°f). The background temperature should be around 24 -26°c (76-80°f) and at night this can be allowed to drop to around 21°c (70°f). The Fat Tailed Geckos don't have any special lighting requirements as background daylight is sufficient but if you wish to place a fluorescent tube in the tank you may do so to help to give them a 12-14hr photoperiod.

To provide the background heat you could use a heat mat attached to a thermostat for better control on the temperature and to prevent over heating.

FEEDING    Fat Tailed Geckos are insectivorous and their diet mainly consists of gut loaded insects such as crickets, small locusts, waxworms etc. The insects should be dusted as least twice a week with a calcium supplement and should be fed every 2-3 days with babies being fed daily. Hatchling should be fed daily and have their food supplemented at least 3 times a week.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS  The Fat Tailed Gecko if brought from captive bred stock is a very hardy little gecko and has hardly any problems. However if your specimen is wild caught they are often dehydrated,straved and harbour lots of parasites which even with veterinary treatment may result in the death of the gecko.