Golden Gecko (Gekko badenii)

Golden Gecko Gekko badenii
Name	Golden Gecko
Name Lat.	Gekko badenii
Synonym	Gekko ulikovskii
Family	Geckos
Family lat.	Gekkonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Rainforests
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	70-90 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	8-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	18-20 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	70 x 70 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	7.1"-7.9"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 30" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular and nocturnal golden geckos are native to the rainforests of Vietnam, near the border with Cambodia and Laos. They live mostly on trees and often use rock crevices as hiding places, but can also be found as cultural successors in settlements.

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. 70 x 70 x 100 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

You need a terrarium with strong climbing branches, many plants (ficus, ferns, mosses, epiphytes, etc.), rock formations (hiding places and privacy screens), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork lining) and a substrate of forest soil-peat mixture as well as a large water basin (waterfall). 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: 20-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °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 diet consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, zophobas and mealybug larvae, supplemented with some fruit pulp and sweet fruits (e.g. bananas, papaya). Alternatively, special ready-made food for geckos or insectivorous reptiles can be offered. 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

The adult male has a thickened caudal root with a distinct hemipenis pouch and a spur on either side of the cloacal opening.

The female sticks her hard-shelled eggs (2 pieces) to the decoration several times a year. At a temperature of 25-30 °C the incubation period is 65-100 days. There is no brood care. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro echinoderms are suitable as initial food for the young.

The life expectancy can be 8-10 years.

Important

With their lamellar toes (adhesive toes) they can also climb on smooth, vertical surfaces (e.g. glass).

Adult males are very territorial and incompatible with each other. However, they can be well maintained in a group, one male with several females

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; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF