Description: From North Africa and the Mediterranean region, where it lives in dry, rocky places such as cliff faces. They also live around people, sometimes seen basking on rock walls during the day. Also known as the Moorish gecko, this is a hardy, mostly nocturnal, jumpy species. Typical color pattern is a mottled darker and lighter brown or gray, the belly is white. This is a stout gecko with a large head and crocodile-like scales down the back, tail and sides. The limbs are short and the feet have adhesive toe-pads. They grow to about 6", including the tail and can live for 6 to 10 years. Males are very territorial and aggressive towards other males and must not be housed together.

Temperature: Daytime 78° to 85°F with a basking area and a 5° to 10°F drop at night. A temperature gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred.

Humidity: Low to moderate, 50 to 60%, occasional misting in one area is beneficial.

Lighting: Not important but they could benefit from UV light because they can be active or may bask during the day. Use a timer with 12 hours on and 12 hours off during the summer. Seasonal day length fluctuations are needed and will help to stimulate breeding activity. A dim night light is useful for viewing nocturnal activities.

Feeding: Voracious hunters. Appropriately sized crickets are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other insects should be offered. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing geckos. Clean water should be available along with misting to allow them to lick up water droplets.

Habitat: Dry forest or savanna vivarium, at least a 10-gallon size for a pair. Use a secure, well ventilated lid. Provide plenty of climbing branches, hiding places, rocks, live and/or artificial plants. Potting soil, bark, coconut fiber, sand or gravel are all good substrates. A secluded spot behind some rocks and that is kept moist provides a humid retreat that can benefit the geckos, especially during shedding.

Cycling: Cooling to the 60’s°F for 2 to 6 weeks along with shorter days is needed during the winter and will help to condition them for breeding.

Sexing: Males squeak when confronting another male and will fight to defend their territory.

Breeding: Be sure that the females are well fed and give them extra calcium to aid in egg production. Breeding starts in the spring and continues into summer. 4 to 6 clutches with 2 eggs each are laid about every 3 weeks, buried in a moist area.
Eggs can be left in place or removed to incubate at 78° to 84°F on vermiculite or another medium. Keep the medium slightly moist by adding water as needed. Be careful not to get the eggs wet. Hatching takes place in about 70 days. Hatchlings are tiny and can be fed pinhead crickets and fruitflies. The babies can be raised together but will start fighting and damaging each other. Adulthood is reached in about 2 years.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna