Hemitheconyx caudicinctus is the scientific name for African fat-tailed geckos. Theyre found in the wild in west Africa. They are ground-dwelling geckos that live in the savannah, near rivers edges, and in other desert plains. Theyre initially shy, but theyll be content with you when they adjust.
The African fat-tailed gecko is a fascinating little lizard that makes a great pet. Here are some interesting facts about these cute critters:
Appearance and Size
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African fat-tailed geckos are relatively small, growing up to 8-10 inches in length.
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They have stocky bodies with short, stubby legs and tails that are wide and rounded. This gives them an almost frog-like appearance.
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Their coloration consists of bands, spots, or reticulated patterns in shades of brown, tan, cream, pink, and white. Some individuals may have a light stripe running down their back.
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As their name suggests, they have distinctive fat tails used for storing extra energy A healthy gecko will have a thick, plump tail
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Males can be distinguished from females by their more pronounced preanal pores and larger overall size.
Habitat and Behavior
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In the wild, African fat-tailed geckos are found in West Africa in rocky savannas and scrublands. They live on the ground, not in trees.
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They are crepuscular/nocturnal meaning most active at dusk and dawn. During the day they hide out under rocks, in burrows, or other shelters.
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African fat-tails are solitary and fairly shy They are not very social with each other outside of breeding
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When hunting at night, they slowly stalk prey before striking quickly. They may wag their tails back and forth to distract insects while hunting.
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If threatened, they can detach their tails through autotomy as a defense mechanism. The tails later regenerate.
Diet and Hunting
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African fat-tailed geckos are insectivores, feeding on live insects and invertebrates like crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches.
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They are patient, stealthy hunters, creeping up slowly on their prey before pouncing.
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To hunt, they rely heavily on their excellent eyesight and sense of movement to detect prey in low light.
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In captivity, it’s important to “gut load” feeder insects with nutrients before feeding them to geckos. Dusting insects with calcium powder is also recommended.
Lifespan and Reproduction
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In captivity, African fat-tailed geckos can live over 15 years with proper care, but around 10 years is more typical in the wild.
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Breeding season lasts around 5 months from November-March. Females can produce up to 5 clutches of 1-3 eggs per season.
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Eggs hatch after an incubation period of 40-70 days depending on temperatures. Warmer temperatures shorten incubation.
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Hatchlings are about 3-4 inches long. They reach maturity around 9-12 months old.
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African fat-tailed geckos exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination. Warmer incubation temperatures tend to produce more males.
Care as Pets
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African fat-tailed geckos are one of the most popular pet geckos due to their gentle nature, small size, and easy care.
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They require an enclosure with warm temperatures around 85-90°F and access to suitable hides. A moist hide assists with shedding.
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Handling should be minimal. They may nip or drop their tails if distressed. Gentle handling when young can help them become more tolerant.
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Housing them alone is best, except when breeding. Even then, house males separately except when mating.
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With proper setup and care, African fat-tailed geckos can make engaging, low-maintenance reptile pets.
The African fat-tailed gecko is a unique and interesting little lizard to have in your home. Their quirky behaviors, patient hunting skills, and cute “frog-like” appearance make them fun to observe. Follow the basic care guidelines, and your fat-tail should live a long, healthy life!
African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care
African fat-tailed geckos are territorial, solitary animals. They closely resemble leopard geckos, but theyre smaller and come in fewer colors. Their eponymous fat tails are used to store fat, and they can discard them as a defense mechanism if attacked.
What do African fat-tailed geckos eat?Â
African fat-tailed geckos are entirely carnivorous. They eat crickets and larval worms, such as mealworms, wax worms, and hornworms. In the wild, they also eat other types of small insects like beetles and roaches. African fat-tailed geckos in captivity need additional minerals and vitamins. Special powders are sold in pet shops so you can “dust” the crickets with them before feeding them to your fat-tailed gecko.Â
You can also ensure your fat-tailed gecko gets the nutrients it needs by “gut loading,” which is the process of feeding the insects a high-nutrient diet before feeding them to your fat-tailed gecko. You can also occasionally feed your fat-tailed gecko small frozen mice. However, this should only be a treat, not a regular part of their diet.Â
In general, you should give your gecko either two bugs per inch or as much as they can eat in 15 minutes. If you have a juvenile African fat-tailed gecko, feed them every day. Adult fat-tailed geckos should be fed every two or three days. If your fat-tailed geckos tail is fatter than their neck, you can feed them every five days.Â
What kind of lighting do African fat-tailed geckos need?Â
Since African fat-tailed geckos dont need as much light as lizards that are active during the day, they can survive without a UVB bulb as long as theyre getting enough D3 in their diet. All lights should be turned off at night. They need 12 hours of daylight, although you can provide 11 hours of daylight during the winter and 13 hours during the summer, with a gradual transition.Â
African fat-tailed geckos need three temperature zones. One area of their tank should be a warm hide thats 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm side of their tank should be 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the cool side should be 70 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.Â
What is the ideal humidity for an African fat-tailed gecko?Â
Try to mimic both a wet and dry season for your African fat-tailed gecko. During the wet season, humidity should be 70% to 80% during the daytime and 100% at night. During the dry season, the humidity should be 50% during the daytime and 70% to 75% at night. During both the wet and dry “seasons,” your fat-tailed gecko should have access to an area of higher humidity. You can provide this by ensuring your fat-tailed gecko has access to a hide with a moistened substrate thats kept on the cool side of the tank.Â
Cleaning your African fat-tailed geckos cage.
You should remove feces from your fat-tailed geckos tank daily. You should also remove areas of the substrate that contain urine. Every three to six months, you should remove all of the substrate and replace it completely.Â
What is the African fat-tailed gecko lifespan?
Given the right care, your African fat-tailed gecko can live up to 15 to 20 years.
African Fat-Tailed Gecko Habitat
Fat-tailed geckos prefer a semi-moist habitat that includes a dry area for foraging. Although you can choose a fancier option, if youre keeping one in captivity, a plastic storage box is a good starting point. The opaque sides will help the African fat-tailed gecko feel secure. Place a smaller plastic container inside the larger tub to provide a hiding place. Cut a one-inch hole in the smaller container. The smaller container should provide a moist environment with moist vermiculite, which is a naturally occurring mineral that retains water.
The fat-tailed geckoâs enclosure should also include a dry area. They prefer temperatures around 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Because fat-tailed geckos are used to rocky, uneven surfaces, you should include items for them to climb on in their cage. Theyre active at night, and during the day, theyll usually be hanging out in their favorite hiding spots.Â
Providing enrichment items in the form of decor will encourage your African fat-tailed gecko to get enough exercise. Give your pet hollow logs, leaf litter, branches, and plants, either artificial or drought resistant, to entertain your gecko. You want to make sure your gecko has lots of places to hide, climb, and explore.Â
The ideal African fat-tailed gecko setup will include bedding of larger vermiculite granules that are best for egg-laying. The larger granules dont break down as quickly. Youll need to spray the bedding periodically to maintain its moisture content. You can also use shredded newspaper or orchid bark instead of vermiculite.
To create a warm hide, you can take a small box and put it directly under the heat lamp. Place a slab of stone like an aquarium slate on top of the box to create a basking platform. The box underneath the tile will be the warm hide, which should be kept at around 90 degrees. You can add a heat mat under the box if the warm hide isnt getting warm enough, although you should cover it with one inch of a substrate to prevent direct contact with the hide.