Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko (Chondrodactylus bibronii)
| Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko Chondrodactylus bibronii | |
|---|---|
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| Name | Bibron's Thick-toed Gecko |
| Name Lat. | Chondrodactylus bibronii |
| Synonym | Pachydactylus bibronii |
| Family | Geckos |
| Family lat. | Gekkonidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Savanna |
| Diet | Insects |
| Humidity | 40-60 % |
| Behavior | Nocturnal, ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Dry terrarium |
| Life Span | 8-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 18 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Temperature Local | 30-35 °C |
| Housing Size | 60 x 60 x 80 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 7" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Temperature Local | 86-95 °F |
| Housing Size | 25" x 25" x 30" |
Distribution and habitat
The crepuscular to nocturnal Bibrons thick-fingered geckos inhabit the dry steppe and savannahs with trees in the Cape Province in South Africa and southern Namibia. There, the good climbers live during the day hidden in rock crevices and as cultural successors on walls and house walls.
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 will need a terrarium structured with roots and stone structures with many crevices (hiding places, privacy screens), a substrate of terrarium humus and sand, a small water container and hardy, drought-resistant potted plants (e.g. succulents). A small portion 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. However, a rain or mist system is better.
| Temp. day: 24-28 °C | Temp. night: 20-22 °C | Temp. local: up to 35 °C | Humidity: 40-60 |
Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal. For crepuscular and nocturnal animals 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 very small amounts due to their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting the food) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 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
The adult male has a thickened caudal root with a distinct hemipenis pouch.
The female attaches, up to five times a year its eggs (1-2 pieces) in the decoration. The incubation period is 50-70 days at a temperature of 26-28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young
Important
They view smaller reptiles, including their own young, as prey
Adult males behave territorially and there may be incompatibilities among themselves. They can be well maintained in a small group, 1 male with 2-3 females.
For the resting phase, shorten the lighting time by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 6-8 °C for about two months, depending on the origin of the animals.
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: Christian Sänger; 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