Mourning Gecko Care Sheet
Lizard
3.5 - 4 inches long
10 - 15 years
Omnivore
Diet & Nutrition
Mourning Geckos are omnivores. Their staple food should be a quality powerdered commercial crested gecko food. Offer live insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small dubia roaches.
Constant access to the crested gecko diet should be available. The diet can be left in the enclosure for 1 - 2 days before changing if it is kept moist. Babies should be offered calcium dusted insects daily. Adults may be fed calcium dusted insects 2 - 3 times per week. Dust insects with calcium powder without D3 daily & a multivitamin once a week.
Housing & Habitat
Mourning Geckos are native to Southeast Asia. The environment should be kept warm and humid. Mourning geckos are a social species that thrive when housed together in groups, unlike many other gecko species. They should be introduced at the same size and provided with ample space and hiding spots within the enclosure. Cork bark, plants, and other decorations, allow geckos to establish territories and feel secure.
Enclosure Size
As arboreal geckos, Mourning Geckos thrive in vertical enclosures. A minimum 12" x 12" x 18" terrarium suits a group of 2 - 3. Add 5 gallons of space for every 2 additional geckos. Use glass enclosures with tight seals - hatchlings are escape artists. Seal all gaps with aquarium-safe silicone or hot glue.
Substrate
Use a 2"+ deep moisture-retentive substrate like coconut fiber or a tropical mix. Live plants such as pothos or creeping fig help with humidity and provide egg-laying sites.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
Create a thermal gradient with a basking spot of 80° - 85°F at the top. Cooler zones below should stay around 70° - 75°F. Night drops to 65°F are safe.
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
Maintain 60% - 80% ambient humidity with daily misting. Spike to 90% after misting, then allow partial drying to 50% - 60%.
Watering
These geckos drink water droplets from leaves and surfaces. Mist once or twice daily to provide hydration. No standing water is needed, but misting is essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Mourning Geckos eat?
Mourning Geckos are omnivores. Their staple food should be a quality powerdered commercial crested gecko food. Offer live insects like fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or small dubia roaches. Constant access to the crested gecko diet should be available. The diet can be left in the enclosure for 1 - 2 days before changing if it is kept moist. Babies should be offered calcium dusted insects daily. Adults may be fed calcium dusted insects 2 - 3 times per week. Dust insects with calcium powder wit...
What size enclosure does a Mourning Gecko need?
Mourning Geckos are native to Southeast Asia. The environment should be kept warm and humid. Mourning geckos are a social species that thrive when housed together in groups, unlike many other gecko species. They should be introduced at the same size and provided with ample space and hiding spots within the enclosure. Cork bark, plants, and other decorations, allow geckos to establish territories and feel secure. As arboreal geckos, Mourning Geckos thrive in vertical enclosures. A minimum 12" ...
What temperature and lighting does a Mourning Gecko need?
Create a thermal gradient with a basking spot of 80° - 85°F at the top. Cooler zones below should stay around 70° - 75°F. Night drops to 65°F are safe. 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: Maintain 60% - 80% ambient humidity with daily misting. Spike to 90% after m...