Description: Imported from the deserts of the Middle East, a small, burrowing gecko that grows from 3" to 4" and is very active at night. The base color is golden to dark brownish with darker brown bands and spots. Although a bit fragile when handled (a fishnet works well), they are easy to care for and fun to keep. Males may be aggressive toward each other and should not be kept together. These odd geckos lift their legs high when they walk and sleep lying on their side. Also known as the dune gecko, dune sand gecko, dwarf sand gecko, fairy gecko or micro gecko.

Temperature: Day time, 75° to 85°F with a basking spot near 95°F and a 5° to 10°F drop at night. A temperature gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred.

Humidity: Low to moderate, around 40-50%. Occasional misting in one area is beneficial.

Lighting: Not important, a regular day and night cycle should be provided and a dim light is useful for night viewing. They may bask under a red or blue dome light at night.

Feeding: Adults and young that are at least four months old can eat two week old crickets that are about half the size of their head width. They will consume all kinds of suitably sized insects including mini-mealworms, mealworms, etc. Feed young ones nightly and adults every other night or so. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given once or twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing geckos.
A dish of clean water should be available at all times along with an occasional evening misting to provide water droplets for drinking.

Habitat: A 5-gallon tank can be used for a pair but a 10-gallon or larger size would be better. A secure well-ventilated lid is needed to keep the food items from escaping. The enclosure may need to be heated; use an under tank heater or a heat lamp, etc. at one end and allow the other side to be cooler. Sand or coconut fiber work well as a substrate, it should be deep enough for burrowing. Shelters and hiding areas can be provided to help them feel secure. Rocks, branches, artificial and/or live plants can be added also.
The enclosure needs to be misted to keep the substrate slightly moist. Anything from a light daily misting to a bi-weekly light drenching will work. Spraying more water in one side of the tank than the other will provide a humidity gradient for them to choose from.

Cycling: Cooling to around 75°F for two months is needed before breeding.

Sexing: Male have a hemipenal bulge and are more slender than females.

Breeding: Be sure that the females are fat and give them extra calcium to aid in egg production. Breeding these geckos takes little effort. Eggs are visible in the abdomen of a gravid female, they typically lay two, buried in the substrate so be sure that it is fairly deep. Eggs can be left in place or removed to incubate at 80 to 87°F on vermiculite or another medium. Keep the medium moist by adding water as needed. Be careful not to get the eggs wet. Hatching takes place in about 75 to 80 days when incubated at 84°F. Hatchlings are tiny and can be fed pinhead crickets and fruitflies.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna