Bavay's Giant Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua)

Bavay's Giant Gecko Mniarogekko chahoua
Name	Bavay's Giant Gecko
Name Lat.	Mniarogekko chahoua
Synonym	Rhacodactylus chahoua
Family	Diplodactylid Geckos
Family lat.	Diplodactylidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	New Caledonia
Habitat	Forests, shrubland
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	70-90 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, ♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Difficult
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	22-25 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	70 x 70 x 90 cm
US Units
Size	8.7"-9.8"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 30" x 35"

Distribution and habitat

The nocturnal, arboreal lichen geckos occur exclusively (endemically) in New Caledonia, mainly in the south of Grande Terre and the offshore islands of Ile des Pins and Iles Belep. They live in deciduous and scrub forests up to 500 m altitude and prefer dense vegetation or tree hollows for shelter

Maintenance

Recommended 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. 70 x 70 x 90 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You need a terrarium with partly vertical climbing branches, roots and many plants, like Ficus, Scindapsus etc. (hiding and shady places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), 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: 25-28 °C

Temp. night: 22-26 °C

Temp. local: up to 30 °C

Humidity: 70-90

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, cockroaches, zophobas and mealybug larvae, alternatively special ready-made food for geckos or insectivorous reptiles can be offered, supplemented with some fruit pulp and sweet fruits (e.g. bananas, papaya). Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts due to their large fat content. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of feed) is important. Drinking water must always be available

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The male has clearly visible hemipenis pockets

The female lays 2 soft-shelled eggs (4-6 clutches annually) in the moist substrate. The incubation period is 65-85 days at a temperature of 26-29 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

Important

Their natural basic coloration ranges from brown to green to red with gray or white lichen markings

With their lamellar toes (adhesive toes) they can also climb on smooth, vertical surfaces (e.g. glass). They must not be held by the tail, which serves as an additional grasping organ (adhesive scales) and can be thrown off in case of danger. However, usually no complete regenerate is formed.

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: Franz Lowak 

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