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Hemidactylus squamulatus - next years big project

Critterfarm

Critterfarm

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I've been considering working with these geckos for a while now, and just set up a deal to get my hands on a small group.

For those that don't know anything about them, they come from east Africa, and are a small species closely related to popular house geckos. Like all other members of the Hemidactylus genus, they possess the ability to climb smooth vertical surfaces. But to fill a niche in their environment, they have abandoned this lifestyle in favor of a terrestrial and burrowing existence, often frequenting termite mounds and large anthills. All things considered, these rare beauties are a fascinating and wonderful little gecko to keep.

If anyone has any info about these they would like to share, or any links to others who may be keeping them, it would be appreciated. Of course stay tuned for pics of them and their set-up, and hopefully next summer there will be a few to pass around.
 
These came in today. They've already started establishing a pecking order and have went to work on a communal burrow.

From my specimens, it appears that females are a bit larger than males, but males have more contrast between the dark and light in the patterns. In any case, hemipenal bulges are quite easy to see, so even if I'm imagining the sexual dimorphism, they are still quite easy to sex.

Pics and more details in a few days.
 
I've never heard of those guys, eagerly awaiting pics. Are they roughly the size of a house gecko? and what do you feed them? I've only found supplier of termites, but my leos ate them like nothing else! lol
 
Depending on how they act this evening after lights out, tomorrow could be picture day. I really don't want to stress them too much right away. They are about the size of a common house gecko, maybe a little longer, but very streamlined. Their shape reminds me of a Nile monitor body type - long body and neck, sharp snout and short legs.

They live in those giant termite mounds and anthills in Africa that you see on Discovery, but don't bother the inhabitants. They live there strictly to enjoy the cooler and damper air the mounds provide. They emerge at night to feed on the average gecko fare - bugs and other smaller lizards. I'm sure they keep most predatory bugs away from the termites/ants to "pay their rent".

I'm glad someone else is interested. Now I don't feel like I'm talking to myself :D
 
Funny, I would've thought an insectivore would be far from welcome in a termite mound lol. So you're feeding them the usual gecko fare? crix, mealies, etc...
 
They had small lateralis roaches last night. About the equivalent of a 1/4 size cricket. Much tail waving and full tilt running them down. Unfortunately they didn't seem too at ease with me there , even in darkness with an IR lamp for viewing, so no pics yet. Soon I promise.

My way of thinking about the living situation - I imagine it much like the relationship between ants and aphids. Ants are huge predators in the eyes of most aphid sized bugs, yet the aphids have evolved in a way that lets them feel at ease around the ants. Nature's crazy sometimes :D
 
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