Golden Gecko: Species Profile

Golden geckos, that are native to Vietnam and southeast Asia, are intriguing lizards despite the fact that they are not as fashionable as many different pet lizards. Males may be yellow-golden in coloration (typically with markings), whereas females are usually darker and have extra inexperienced on the physique. Feminine golden geckos are usually a bit smaller than males. This will not be the very best gecko for a brand new lizard proprietor, as they’ve nocturnal habits. However if you happen to’re an evening owl, this may very well be the pet gecko for you, though they do have an aversion to being dealt with.

Golden Gecko Habits and Temperament

Golden geckos are skittish and have delicate pores and skin, so they aren’t good candidates for dealing with. In addition they have a little bit of a repute for biting when burdened. This will not be the very best gecko for a brand new lizard proprietor, however if you happen to’re affected person when dealing with is critical, your gecko can finally turn into docile.

Like many geckos, the golden will shed its tail when very burdened; they will additionally regenerate it. Nonetheless, that is an excessive response from the gecko and it ought to by no means be picked up by its tail.

Housing the Golden Gecko

A 20-gallon tall terrarium is enough for a golden gecko, however an even bigger habitat is a greater dwelling as golden geckos are energetic lizards. Golden geckos want vertical house for climbing so use a tall tank. Males are fairly territorial so they need to solely be saved one to a cage. They’ve specialised toe pads that enable them to effortlessly transfer alongside vertical surfaces, and so they may even cling the wrong way up.

The substrate for golden geckos needs to be one thing that retains moisture, comparable to reptile bark or shredded coconut fiber bedding. Some keepers additionally use pure soil however keep away from utilizing potting soil, which frequently comprises perlite, an inorganic materials derived from mined volcanic glass of the identical title. It may possibly trigger impactions in lizard if an excessive amount of is by accident ingested.

Golden geckos want room to climb, so present branches, driftwood, and pretend silk crops or stay crops. In addition they want hiding spots comparable to reptile caves or clay plant pots which might be positioned on their sides. Make sure that there are not any sharp edges within the habitat. If in case you have a number of geckos, make sure to present sufficient hiding house to permit them to cover from one another.

Warmth

A daytime temperature gradient of 75 to 90 F needs to be offered for golden geckos, with a drop at nighttime to 70 or 75 F. Warmth may be offered through a ceramic heating aspect or a reptile bulb inside a reflector. Place any warmth supply solely on one finish of the tank in order that the opposite finish stays colder. Don’t relaxation a warmth supply proper on the prime of the tank, as these climbing geckos may get too shut and burns may outcome.

Gentle

Since golden geckos are nocturnal, there isn’t any want for particular mild spectrums. Nonetheless, many specialists counsel that offering some UV lighting continues to be helpful to a gecko’s general well being. White incandescent bulbs or blue reptile bulbs will also be used throughout daytime hours, and purple reptile night time bulbs can be utilized at night time.

Humidity

Golden geckos want a reasonable to excessive humidity degree; goal for 60 to 80 % relative humidity. As humidity is essential, one of the best ways to measure it’s to get a hygrometer and monitor ranges day by day. Present humidity with common misting; the geckos will doubtless drink from water droplets that acquire from the mist.

Meals and Water

Golden geckos needs to be fed quite a lot of stay prey bugs. Crickets could make up the principle a part of the weight loss program, with the addition of waxworms, mealworms, butterworms, roaches, and different pesticide-free, stay insect prey. A gecko’s prey needs to be intestine loaded previous to feeding and in addition dusted with a calcium complement two to 3 occasions every week; use a multivitamin dusting as soon as every week as properly.

Feed your golden geckos within the night. Juveniles needs to be fed day by day however adults don’t should be fed every single day. Some keepers advocate randomizing the feeding schedule to maintain the geckos concerned with their prey. For example, feed each different day, then feed two days then skip a day, and so forth. Feed as a lot prey at one time because the gecko will eagerly eat.

Golden geckos will usually eat fruit as properly. You’ll be able to attempt mashed bananas, pureed child meals, or sliced fruit; goldens particularly like tropical fruits comparable to mangos.

Present a small shallow water dish with contemporary and clear non-chlorinated water every single day. They might use this extra for soaking than consuming as golden geckos, like different geckos, favor to drink water droplets that acquire on the surfaces of leaves.

Widespread Well being and Habits Issues

One of the frequent illnesses amongst geckos is a metabolic bone illness (MBD), which is the results of inadequate calcium and vitamin D it the animal’s weight loss program. Geckos with MBD will show a poor urge for food and tremors and typically can endure painful limb deformities.

Golden geckos which might be undernourished or that stay in an enclosure with inadequate humidity usually develop a situation known as dysecdysis. This situation causes the gecko to have problem shedding and can even have an effect on its imaginative and prescient. When it first develops, it appears like a patch of dry or tough pores and skin.

Like different geckos, goldens are additionally susceptible to respiratory infections, together with pneumonia. In case your gecko is drooling or wheezing or has extra mucus round its nasal passages, these signs doubtless point out respiratory issues.

All of those situations ought to obtain remedy from a veterinarian who focuses on reptiles and particularly lizards. Most geckos will recuperate from the above sicknesses if handled in a well timed method.

Selecting Your Golden Gecko

Golden geckos are normally available from breeders since they are usually lower-profile and fewer fashionable in comparison with leopard geckos or crested geckos. Be cautious of wild-caught golden geckos since you have no means of understanding their well being historical past or about any parasites they might be carrying. Captive-bred golden geckos are usually more healthy.

Earlier than you buy a golden gecko, examine its pores and skin for any signal of dry patches, which may point out issues shedding. If attainable, prepare to look at the animal eat to make sure it has a wholesome urge for food.

Related Species to the Golden Gecko

For those who’re concerned with pet geckos, try:

• Home Gecko Species Profile
• Crested Gecko Species Profile
• Leopard Gecko Species Profile

In any other case, try different sorts of reptiles and amphibians that may be your pet.