Small desert species
Active climbers
Nocturnal
Hardy and easy to breed
Beautiful banding
These awesome geckos are just $59.99 every day at Josh's Frogs! At least 3-4 months old and LOOKING AWESOME. Flat rate $39.99 shipping covers any number of animals, shipped anywhere in the USA.
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www.JoshsFrogs.com
Name: Pachydactylus fasciatus. Its common name, the thick-toed banded gecko, refers to the bands across its body and its thick toe pads which allows to climb even smooth surfaces well.
Recommended Enclosure Size: An 8x8x12 glass enclosure will house a pair of thick-toed banded gecko adults. A 12x12x12 enclosure can house a trio, with larger enclosures housing more geckos. Males are territorial and should not be housed together. Sand works well as a substrate. Hides should be provided; cork flats, slate, or even everyday items like overturned flower saucers work well. These active climbers will take full advantage of rocks, driftwood, manzanita branches, cork bark, and other climbing material. They may occasionally dig, so heavy items should be supported by the bottom of the enclosure and not by the substrate.
Temperature: Keep thick-toed banded geckos at 75-85 F. Use a basking bulb to provide a basking spot of 95 F. Mini halogen bulbs work well for small enclosures. Do not allow ambient temperatures to rise above 100 F. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and hot spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer or temperature gun. Night temperatures can drop to 68 F.
Humidity: Keep thick-toed banded geckos at 40-50% humidity. They should not experience prolonged humidity levels above 55% A humid hide is recommended, which this species will use for shedding, laying eggs, and hydrating. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Thick-toed banded geckos should be misted once or twice a week to provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink, but enough ventilation should be provided to allow the enclosure to dry out within a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.
Size: Thick-toed banded geckos are at least an inch long when sold by Josh’s Frogs. Adults reach around 3.5 to 4 inches.
Age: Thick-toed banded geckos sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 2 months old. This species can live up to 10-15 years in captivity.
Feeding: Thick-toed banded geckos sold by Josh’s Frogs are fed ⅛-inch crickets. These juveniles can also be fed extra small black soldier fly larvae and bean beetles. Adults should be fed a staple of ¼-inch crickets or dubia roaches, with black soldier fly larvae and bean beetles making good treats. Small mealworms can also be occasionally offered to full grown adults. All feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements, and can be offered in a food dish.
Sexing: Male thick-toed banded geckos have a hemipenal bulge at the base of the tail. Because of their age and the lack of any distinguishable features at their young age, individuals sold by Josh’s Frogs are not sexed.
Color/Pattern:Thick-toed banded geckos have a beige or light brown--sometimes almost purple--background with brown, orange, or yellow stripes. Their entire body is punctuated with tubercles, giving them a characteristically bumpy look.
Social Behavior: Male thick-toed banded geckos are territorial and extremely aggressive towards other males in the same enclosure. While a thick-toed banded gecko can be housed with multiple females, males should never be housed together.
Breeding: A brumation period in the winter or longer days in the summer will help incite breeding. Females will lay pairs of eggs in the substrate (or a humid hide, if one is provided) every 3-4 weeks. Eggs hatch within 50-70 days.
Natural Range: Thick-toed banded geckos live in the harsh Namibian desert, which contributes to their hardiness in captivity. By day, they hide in rock crevices, emerging at night to mate and to hunt for insects along rock faces.
History in the Hobby: Captive-bred thick-toed banded geckos are available but not common in the hobby. Their simple care and hardy nature makes them a great beginner pet for those looking for a climbing desert species.