African Fat Tailed Gecko Care Sheet
Lizard
6 - 9 inches long
15 - 20 years
Insectivore
Diet & Nutrition
African Fat-Tailed Geckos are strict insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroaches. Some African Fat-
Tailed geckos will eat store bought food such as freeze-dried crickets and worms.
Feeding Schedule
Feed babies and adults daily, although some keepers will feed adults every other day. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes. Worms can be left in the food bowl.
Housing & Habitat
African Fat-Tailed Geckos come from a tropical environment. Multiple hide spots are ideal including access to a high humidity shedding box. This will allow them to properly shed their skin. African Fat-Tailed Geckos may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together geckos should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together.
Enclosure Size
An adult must have a minimum cage size of 20" Long x 10" Deep x 12" High, also known as a 10-gallon tank. A screen lid is recommended for safety.
Substrate
Due to humidity requirements an absorbent substrate is desired. Peat moss or coconut fiber are preferred.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
An African Fat-Tailed Gecko's basking spot should be 90°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F.
Lighting
Since this is a nocturnal species, it requires only one light bulb. This is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. There is no current proof that the animal requires
UVB light, although some keepers prefer to provide UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
Mist the environment once to twice a day with a spray bottle. Humidity levels should be between 40% - 60%.
Watering
Provide a bowl of fresh drinking water at all times.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do African Fat Tailed Geckos eat?
African Fat-Tailed Geckos are strict insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and cockroaches. Some African Fat- Tailed geckos will eat store bought food such as freeze-dried crickets and worms.
What size enclosure does a African Fat Tailed Gecko need?
African Fat-Tailed Geckos come from a tropical environment. Multiple hide spots are ideal including access to a high humidity shedding box. This will allow them to properly shed their skin. African Fat-Tailed Geckos may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together geckos should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together. An adult must have a minimum cage size...
What temperature and lighting does a African Fat Tailed Gecko need?
An African Fat-Tailed Gecko's basking spot should be 90°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F. Since this is a nocturnal species, it requires only one light bulb. This is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. There is no current proof that the animal requires UVB light, although some keepers prefer to provide UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: Mist the environment once to twice a day with a spray bottle. Humidity levels should be between 40% - 60%.