Madagascar Ground Gecko (Paroedura picta)

Madagascar Ground Gecko Paroedura picta
Name	Madagascar Ground Gecko
Name Lat.	Paroedura picta
Family	Geckos
Family lat.	Gekkonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Madagascar
Habitat	Dry savanna
Diet	Insects
Humidity	45-60 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	3-5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12-15 cm
Temperature	24-30 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	60 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	4.7"-5.9"
Temperature	75-86 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	25" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The ground-dwelling, crepuscular to nocturnal Madagascar large-headed geckos inhabit semi-deserts and thornbush savannas in southern Madagascar. There, the good climbers live during the day hidden in rock crevices and cracks 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

4KRL x 3KRL x 2KRL (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 40 x 40 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You will need a terrarium with roots, cork tubes and flat stones (controllable hiding places and privacy screens), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork lining), a graveable substrate of sand/clay mixture, a small water container and hardy, drought-resistant potted plants (e.g. succulents). Part 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.

Temp. day: 24-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 45-60

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 according to their size, 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 small amounts to adults, but not to juveniles, because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of food) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adult animals 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 lays her eggs (1-2 pieces) several times a year in a crevice or burrow with moist soil. A wet box is ideal. The incubation period depends on the temperature and is 45-80 days at a temperature of 26-30 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young

The life expectancy can be 3-5 years.

Important

With their lamellar toes (adhesive toes) they can also climb on smooth, vertical surfaces (e.g. glass). Sunny places with radiant heat should not be missing.

Adult males behave territorially and are incompatible with each other. They can be well maintained in a small group, 1 male with 2-3 females.

For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-3 hours and the temperature is lowered by 4-6 °C for approx. 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: 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