Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris)

Mourning Gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris
Name	Mourning Gecko
Name Lat.	Lepidodactylus lugubris
Family	Geckos
Family lat.	Gekkonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Forests
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	50-80 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	5 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	8-10 cm
Temperature	26-28 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	40 x 40 x 60 cm
US Units
Size	3.1"-3.9"
Temperature	79-82 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	15" x 15" x 25"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal juvenile geckos originate from Southeast Asia and are now distributed worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. They occur in different habitats with dense vegetation, but also 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. 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, roots and stone structures as well as many plants, such as Ficus, Scindapsus etc. (hiding and shade places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a substrate of forest soil-peat mixture and a water basin. The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. At least once a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.

Temp. day: 26-28 °C

Temp. night: 20-24 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 50-80

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, alternatively special ready-made food for geckos or insectivorous reptiles can be offered, occasionally 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

Virgin geckos occur only as females and reproduce parthenogenetically (virgin reproduction).

Eggs are laid every 14-60 days during the summer months. The female sticks her unfertilized, hard-shelled eggs (2 pieces) to the decoration. At an average temperature of 26 °C clones of the mother hatch after 70-90 days. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young

The life expectancy can be 5 years.

Important

The females behave territorially within the species. Within a clonal line, the animals differ genetically only slightly

Since they can vary in pattern and coloration depending on mood and background, they can only be distinguished by their size

Sunny places with radiant heat must not be missing.

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: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; RÖLL B. (2006): Zwerggeckos Lygodactylus, Natur und Tier-Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF