Rough Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtopodion scabrum)

Rough Bent-toed Gecko Cyrtopodion scabrum
Name	Rough Bent-toed Gecko
Name Lat.	Cyrtopodion scabrum
Family	Geckos
Family lat.	Gekkonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Africa, Asia
Habitat	Savanna
Diet	Insects
Humidity	40-60 %
Behavior	Nocturnal; ♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	3-4 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35-40 °C
Housing Size	40 x 30 x 30 cm
US Units
Size	4.7"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95-104 °F
Housing Size	15" x 10" x 10"

Distribution and habitat

The crepuscular to nocturnal mainly ground-dwelling crocodile geckos inhabit the dry steppes and semi-deserts from Turkey through North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to India. They live during the day hidden under stones and roots and as culture followers 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. 40 x 30 x 30 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You will need a terrarium structured with roots and stone structures with many crevices (hiding places, privacy screens), a burrowable substrate of terrarium humus and sand, a shallow water dish and hardy, drought-resistant potted plants (e.g. succulents). A small portion of the substrate, especially the lower sand layers, should always be kept slightly moist. Once a day, preferably in the evening, the terrarium furnishings should be finely sprayed with water, but not directly the animals. A rain or mist system is ideal.

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 20-25 °C

Temp. local: up to 40 °C

Humidity: 40-60

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Daylight fluorescent tubes are ideal. For crepuscular and nocturnal animals a special UV light is not necessary.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, 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 attaches, several times a year its eggs (1-2 pieces) in the decoration. The incubation period is 40-50 days at a temperature of 28-30 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young

The life expectancy can be 3-4 years.

Important

They do not have adhesive lamellae.

Smaller reptiles, including their own young, are considered prey. Adult males behave territorially and incompatibility may occur among themselves. They can be well maintained in a small group, 1 male with 2-3 females.

For the resting phase, shorten the lighting duration by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature to 15 °C for about 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: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak 

Source: BMELV Deutschland (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