Halmahera Giant Gecko (Gehyra marginata)

Halmahera Giant Gecko Gehyra marginata
Name	Halmahera Giant Gecko
Name Lat.	Gehyra marginata
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	10-15 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	25 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	30-35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 80 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	9.8"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	86-95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 30" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The nocturnal Moluccan geckos originate from the North Moluccan Islands (Maluka Utara), a group of islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea in the Indonesian archipelago. There they live in the rainforests mainly on the trees and rocks, and as cultural followers on 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. 80 x 80 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

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 lays her hard-shelled eggs (1-2 eggs) in the decoration several times a year. The incubation period is 70-90 days at a temperature of 28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young

The life expectancy can be 10-15 years

Important

They are often confused with Fiji giant geckos (Geyhra vorax), which have yellow eyes. Moluccan geckos have green eyes

Adult males are very territorial and incompatible with each other

For the dormancy period, 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: Christian Sänger; 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