Cape Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus capensis)
| Cape Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus capensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Cape Dwarf Gecko |
| Name Lat. | Lygodactylus capensis |
| Family | Geckos |
| Family lat. | Gekkonidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Savanna |
| Diet | Insects, fruits |
| Humidity | 50-65 % |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Dry terrarium |
| Life Span | 5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 8 cm |
| Temperature | 26-30 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35-40 °C |
| Housing Size | 40 x 40 x 60 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 3.1" |
| Temperature | 79-86 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95-104 °F |
| Housing Size | 15" x 15" x 25" |
Distribution and habitat
The diurnal Cape dwarf geckos are common in the savannahs of southeastern Africa. They live on trees, shrubs and rocks and avoid the ground. As crop followers they can also be found on houses, walls and in gardens.
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. 40 x 40 x 60 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.
You need a terrarium with climbing branches and stone structures as well as plants, such as aloe, euphorbia, oleander etc. (hiding and shade places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork lining), a substrate of sand-clay mixture and a small water basin. Once a day, best in the evening, the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but better is a rain or fog system.
| Temp. day: 26-30 °C | Temp. night: 20-22 °C | Temp. local: up to 40 °C | Humidity: 50-65 % |
Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.
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, but is preferably taken in drop form from leaves or furnishings. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
Sexually mature males (from 15-18 months of age) have 4-7 preanal pores between the hind legs.
The female lays her hard-shelled eggs (2 pieces) in rock crevices, tree bark and hollow tree trunks. The incubation period is 40-60 days at a temperature of 28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young. Life expectancy can be 5 years.
Important
They must not be held by their tails, which they can shed in case of danger. In most cases, no complete regeneration takes place.
Adult males are very territorial and incompatible with each other. However, they can be kept in a group, one male with 2-3 females.
They are sun-loving and require appropriate basking sites
For the resting phase, shorten the lighting duration by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 3-4 °C for about two months.
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; BEATE RÖLL (2006): Zwerggeckos Lygodactylus, Natur und Tier-Verlag; BILL BRANCH (1996): Field guide to the snakes and other reptiles of Southern Africa, Struik Puplishers Ltd.
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF