Thick-tailed Gecko (Underwoodisaurus milii)

Thick-tailed Gecko Underwoodisaurus milii
Name	Thick-tailed Gecko
Name Lat.	Underwoodisaurus milii
Synonym	Nephrurus milii
Family	Carphodactylid Geckos
Family lat.	Carphodactylidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Australia
Habitat	Dry savanna
Diet	Insects
Humidity	40-50 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Individual, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	8-10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	12 cm
Temperature	26-28 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	50 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	4.7"
Temperature	79-82 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	20" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The ground-dwelling, crepuscular to nocturnal Australian thick-tailed geckos inhabit the open shrub and forest landscapes and rocky areas of southern Australia. The good climbers live hidden in rock crevices during the day and as cultural followers on walls and cliffs.

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. 50 x 40 x 40 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You will need a terrarium with branches, roots and stone structures that provide plenty of hiding and shading places, structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a deep burrowable substrate of sand/clay mixture and rubble, as well as a small water container and some 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 interior of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water, but not directly the animals.

Temp. day: 26-28 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 40-50

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-12 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, cockroaches, 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) in the substrate several times a year. The incubation period depends on the temperature and is 45-70 days at a temperature of 26-28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young

Important

With their lamellar toes (adhesive toes) they can climb on smooth, vertical surfaces. When threatened, they straighten up and make barking sounds.

Adult males behave territorially. They can be well maintained in a small group, one male with 2-3 females.

They require basking sites with radiant heat, such as rocks irradiated with a spotlight. For the resting phase, shorten the lighting time by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 4-6 °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: petdata; 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