African Whole-toed Gecko (Holodactylus africanus)
| African Whole-toed Gecko Holodactylus africanus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | African Whole-toed Gecko |
| Name Lat. | Holodactylus africanus |
| Family | Eublepharid Geckos |
| Family lat. | Eublepharidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Savanna |
| Diet | Insects |
| Humidity | 50-70 % |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, harem |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 6-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10-12 cm |
| Temperature | 25-30 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35-40 °C |
| Housing Size | 50 x 40 x 30 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4"-4.7" |
| Temperature | 77-86 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95-104 °F |
| Housing Size | 20" x 15" x 10" |
Distribution and habitat
The crepuscular to nocturnal, predominantly ground-dwelling whole-fingered lidgeckos inhabit the dry steppes and semi-deserts of East Africa, from Ethiopia and Somalia to Kenya and Tanzania. They live during the day hidden under stones and roots and as culture followers on walls and house walls.
Maintenance
Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals
| 1-2 animals | 4KRL x 3KRL x 2KRL (L x W x H) |
Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. 50 x 40 x 30 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.
You will need a terrarium with roots, cork tubes and flat stones (controllable hiding places and privacy screens), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork lining), a deep, diggable substrate of sand-humus mixture, a small water container and hardy, drought-resistant potted plants (e.g. succulents). Part of the substrate, especially the lower sand layers, should always be kept slightly moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the interior of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with lukewarm water, but not directly the animals
| Temp. day: 25-30 °C | Temp. night: 18-20 °C | Temp. local: up to 40 °C | Humidity: 50-70 |
Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal. A special UV light is not necessary.
Diet
The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, millipedes, zophobas and mealybug larvae. Alternatively, special ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles can be offered, possibly with tweezers for habituation. Wax moths should only be fed in small amounts to adults, but not to juveniles, because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of food) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adult animals 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available
A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
Males can be recognized by a small spur on either side of the cloaca.
The female lays 1-2 soft-shelled eggs in the soft substrate several times a year. At a temperature of 28 °C the incubation period is 80-85 days. As first food for the young animals small insects like fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable
Important
They have movable eyelids and no adhesive lamellae on their toes
Adult males are territorial and incompatible with each other. They can be well maintained in a small group, 1 male with 2-3 females.
Sunny places with radiant heat should not be missing. For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-3 hours for approx. two months and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C.
With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.
The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag;
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF