African fat-tailed geckos are often confused with leopard geckos, but they are actually a different type of gecko. African fat-tailed geckos are almost as popular as leopard geckos due to their increased availability and ease of care. If youre interested in these small lizards, knowing what they need to thrive as a pet is of the utmost importance.
Adult Size Usually 7-9 inches in length but may be as small as 4 inches or as large as 11 inches
The African fat-tailed gecko is a fascinating pet reptile that is growing in popularity among reptile enthusiasts. These docile, handleable geckos can thrive for over 15 years when provided proper care. One of the most important aspects of African fat-tail care is setting up the perfect habitat.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to create an ideal enclosure that caters to your gecko’s every need.
Choosing the Right Enclosure
The first step is selecting an appropriate enclosure A minimum size of 20″ x 10″ x 12″ is recommended for one gecko However, bigger is always better to allow more space for climbing and exploration. Glass terrariums with front-opening doors work beautifully.
Make sure the enclosure has plenty of ventilation. You’ll want a screen top or ventilation strips along the top of the tank. Proper airflow prevents humidity buildup that can lead to respiratory infections.
Providing Proper Lighting and Heating
Since African fat-tails are nocturnal, UVB lighting is not necessary as long as you provide a quality calcium supplement. However, a low level UVB lamp can still be beneficial. If using UVB, make sure to place it over the warm side where your gecko will bask.
For heating, use an under tank heater on one side of the enclosure to create a temperature gradient. Place a hide box directly over the heater to create a warm spot of 90-95°F. The cool side should be kept around 75-80°F.
Use thermometers on each end to monitor the temperatures. A thermostat can help regulate the under tank heater to prevent overheating. All heat sources should be turned off at night.
Maintaining Humidity
Humidity levels are crucial for African fat-tails. Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity, which should be kept around 70-80% during the day and 100% at night during warmer months. In cooler months, aim for 50% humidity during the day and 70-75% at night.
Place a humid hide box with moist substrate in the cool side of the tank to provide a humid retreat. Mist the enclosure when needed to raise humidity levels. Increase ventilation to lower humidity if it gets too high.
Choosing the Right Substrate
Naturalistic substrates that hold some moisture work best. Good options include paper towels, eco earth, organic topsoil mixes, or reptile carpets. Avoid using sand, as it can cause impaction if ingested. Spot clean waste daily and completely replace substrate every 3-6 months.
Adding Decor and Enrichment
Natural decor like driftwood, rocks, live or fake plants, and logs encourage climbing and enrichment. Provide multiple hide boxes throughout the tank for security. Leaf litter also adds beneficial microfauna and allows burrowing.
Setting Up a Feeding Station
Place shallow food and water dishes on the cool end of the tank. Use smaller dishes to prevent crickets from drowning. Clean the water dish frequently to prevent bacterial growth.
Maintaining Proper Hygiene
Disinfect the tank and all decor thoroughly before introducing your gecko. Always wash hands before and after handling or cleaning the enclosure. Keeping the habitat clean is crucial for your gecko’s health.
Monitoring Your Gecko’s Health
Keep an eye out for signs of illness including weight loss, lack of appetite, shedding difficulties, and lethargy. Take your gecko to an exotic vet immediately if any abnormalities are noticed. Providing proper heating, humidity, hygiene, and diet will help prevent many health issues.
Ready for Your Gecko!
By following this African fat-tailed gecko setup guide, you can create a habitat that caters to all of your gecko’s needs. Taking the time to properly setup the enclosure will result in a healthy, thriving gecko that brings you years of enjoyment. Let us know if you have any other questions about housing these awesome pet lizards!
African Fat-Tailed Gecko Behavior and Temperament
African fat-tailed geckos are docile, dont make much noise, and are not known to bite. These small geckos are great for beginner reptile enthusiasts because they dont require much taming to be able to be handled. They are also nocturnal reptiles which means they are active at night and hide during the day from the hot sun.
African fat-tailed geckos have the ability to drop their tail when they feel threatened. This can be very traumatizing to an unsuspecting gecko owner but is a natural defense mechanism of the lizard. The tail will regrow but wont look quite the same. Avoid holding it too tightly, startling it, or scaring it to help prevent it from dropping its tail. Additionally, never house two males together to avoid territorial fights. Finally, if you see your gecko shaking its tail rapidly, it is getting ready to strike at prey or something else, so keep your hands away from it.
Housing
African fat-tailed geckos do not require a lot of space. One or two geckos can happily live in a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium with a mesh or screen top. This type of enclosure will allow for easy cleaning, safe placement of heat lights on the lid, and security from other pets and children that could injure the geckos. Be sure to provide multiple hides, both a dry hide and a humid hide, whether its a rock cave or half log to sleep in the tank. Temperatures should be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit on the hot end and in the high 70s to low 80s on the cool side of the tank. Humidity should be between 40-60% on average for this species.
Ultimate African Fat Tailed Gecko Care Guide | Enclosure Setup, Diet & Handling Tips
FAQ
What do you need for an African fat-tailed gecko?
Fat-Tail Geckos need 10-12 hours of light per day. They are nocturnal, so they do not require UVB lighting. Food and Water: Provide clean, fresh, chlorine-free or spring water in a shallow bowl that cannot be tipped over.
Do African fat tail geckos need a heat lamp?
Heating for Your Fat-Tailed Gecko
Put a heating pad on the bottom of one side of the tank for heat. A heat lamp can be used but will dry out the air and make shedding difficult.
How big of an enclosure does an African fat-tailed gecko need?
A single African fat-tailed gecko should be housed in no smaller than a 36” x 18” x 16” enclosure, or a 40 gallon tank.Dec 18, 2020
What is the best substrate for African fat tail geckos?
EXCAVATOR® Burrowing Clay Substrate will allow you to create a naturalistic terrarium complete with burrows and tunnels for your animals. REPTISAND™, Vita-Sand® and REPTIFRESH™ are also excellent choices for housing these Geckos, just be sure to provide a humidity chamber if using these substrates alone.
How to set up an African fat-tailed gecko habitat?
Before you start your African fat-tailed gecko habitat setup, it’s recommended you tank a damp cloth and wipe out the tank thoroughly. This will ensure there aren’t any dangerous particles that could have been left behind during manufacturing. If your tank came with a background, you can include that now.
How do you care for African fat-tailed geckos?
African fat-tailed gecko care is a piece of cake. As long as you’re mindful of the conditions these lizards require, you shouldn’t run into any issues. Make sure to wash your hands after handling to avoid any bacterial transmissions.
Do African fat tailed geckos need a tank?
The African fat-tailed gecko lives between 10-25 years in captivity, averaging 15 years. Thus, it needs a nice tank as it will be living with you for a while. However, that doesn’t mean your setup needs to be complicated. Simple can often be best. For your pet, it is about meeting its needs, not the aesthetic.
How do you bask a fat tailed gecko?
Pick a suitable end for the gecko’s basking spot and place a heating mat right underneath that place. Your goal is to keep the temperature between 90F and 95F. You might be confused about this method as this is an unusual way to bask. African Fat-Tailed Geckos are nocturnal so this will be their favorite way to bask.
Can you introduce a fat tailed gecko?
Introduce Other Geckos: African Fat-Tailed Geckos are generally solitary creatures, but some individuals may tolerate the presence of another gecko. If you decide to introduce another gecko, monitor their behavior closely and be prepared to separate them if necessary.
How to keep African fat-tailed gecko healthy?
In addition to hiding spots, you can also add decorations, such as artificial plants, branches, and even small rocks, to create a more natural and visually appealing environment for your gecko. Overall, creating a well-designed habitat for your African Fat-Tailed Gecko is essential for their health and happiness.