Voracious Four-clawed Gecko (Gehyra vorax)
| Voracious Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra vorax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Voracious Four-clawed Gecko |
| Name Lat. | Gehyra vorax |
| Family | Geckos |
| Family lat. | Gekkonidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Melanesia |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Diet | Insects, fruits |
| Humidity | 70-90 % |
| Behavior | Nocturnal; ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 10-15 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25 cm |
| Temperature | 25-28 °C |
| Temperature Local | 30-35 °C |
| Housing Size | 80 x 80 x 100 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 9.8" |
| Temperature | 77-82 °F |
| Temperature Local | 86-95 °F |
| Housing Size | 30" x 30" x 40" |
Distribution and habitat
The nocturnal Fiji giant geckos originate from the rain and mangrove forests of Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga as well as New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. They live mainly on trees and rocks as well as on walls as cultural predators.
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. 80 x 80 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: 25-28 °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
Adult males are usually larger and more powerfully built than females and can be recognized by their preanal pores (pore-like openings in front of the anal cleft).
The female lays her hard-shelled eggs (1-2 eggs) in the decoration several times a year. The incubation period is 70-90 days at a temperature of 28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.
Life expectancy can be 10-15 years. 
Important
They are often confused with Moluccan geckos (Geyhra marginata), which have green eyes. Fiji giant geckos have yellow eyes. Adult males behave very territorially and are incompatible with each other
For the dormancy period, shorten the lighting duration by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 3-4 °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: Christian Sänger; 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