Banded Leaf-toed Gecko (Hemidactylus fasciatus)
| Banded Leaf-toed Gecko Hemidactylus fasciatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Banded Leaf-toed Gecko |
| Name Lat. | Hemidactylus fasciatus |
| Family | Geckos |
| Family lat. | Gekkonidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Rainforests |
| Diet | Insects |
| Humidity | 80-90 % |
| Behavior | Nocturnal; ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 6-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 18 cm |
| Temperature | 26-30 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35 °C |
| Housing Size | 60 x 60 x 80 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7.1" |
| Temperature | 79-86 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95 °F |
| Housing Size | 25" x 25" x 30" |
Distribution and habitat
The nocturnal banded geckos are widespread in western Africa from Liberia to Nigeria and the central Congo. There they live in the dense foliage forest, during the day mostly hidden under the bark of large trees.
Maintenance
Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals
| 1-2 animals | 6KRL x 6KRL x 8KRL (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. 60 x 60 x 80 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place
You need a terrarium with climbing branches, branch caves and stone structures as well as plants, such as Ficus, Bromeliads, Scindapsus etc. (hiding and shade places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork lining), a graveable substrate of forest soil-peat mixture and a water basin (waterfall). The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better
| Temp. day: 26-30 °C | Temp. night: 20-22 °C | Temp. local: up to 35 °C | Humidity: 80-90 |
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
Adult males are usually larger and more powerfully built than females and can be recognized by their preanal pores (pore-like openings in front of the anal cleft).
The female buries her hard-shelled eggs (1-3 eggs) several times a year in the substrate or deposits them in rock crevices, clay or bamboo tubes. At a temperature of 28 °C the incubation period is 40-50 days. Breeding is not practiced. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro echinoderms are suitable as initial food for the young. The life expectancy can be 6-8 years.
Important
Their toes have claws and a double row of adhesive lamellae.
Sunny places with radiant heat are readily accepted.
Adult males behave very territorial and are incompatible with each other. Keeping a group, one male with 2-3 females is unproblematic.
For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-3 hours for about 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