Smith's Green-eyed Gecko (Gekko smithi)

Smith's Green-eyed Gecko Gekko smithi
Name	Smith's Green-eyed Gecko
Name Lat.	Gekko smithi
Family	Geckos
Family lat.	Gekkonidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Southeast Asia
Habitat	Rainforest
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	70-90 %
Behavior	Nocturnal, semi-aggressive
Keeping	Pair
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	25-35 cm
Temperature	26-30 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 60 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	10"-14"
Temperature	79-86 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 25" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The arboreal, crepuscular to nocturnal Smith's green-eyed geckos are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, from northeastern India through Malaysia to Indonesia. They live in the tropical lowland rainforests and as cultivators in houses and on walls

Maintenance

Recommended 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 60 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: 26-30 °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.

The female sticks her hard-shelled eggs (2 pieces) to the decoration up to five times a year. At a temperature of 25-30 °C the incubation period is 100-150 days. Both parents perform brood care until the young lose their juvenile coloration.

Important

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

When threatened, they tear their mouth wide open before biting down hard and then not letting go for longer.

For the resting phase, the lighting duration is shortened by 2-3 hours and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °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