Western
New York Herpetological Society
www.wnyherp.org
©
2001 - 2002 by Western New York Herpetological Society
This
document is for guidance only and should not be used as the sole source of
information. New information is being developed daily. It is recommended that a
concerted effort be made to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the animals of
interest.
Common
Name:
Golden Gecko
Latin
Name:
Gekko ulikovskii
Native
To:
The warm rainforests of Vietnam. Size Range: Males
grow to around 7", while females stay smaller at
around 5" to 6".
Temperament:
These geckos do not like to be handled. They are
somewhat hyper and can stress easily. They can and will bite when bothered.
Housing
Requirements:
Enclosure:
A single gecko can be housed in a 10-gallon
aquarium. Provide hiding spots, climbing branches and vines within the tank. A
secure lid is necessary.
Temperature:
Range between 78-85 degrees F.
Heat/Light:
They do not need a UV light, but do need a nocturnal
heat lamp to provide necessary heat. An under-the-tank heater can also be used
to supplement heat if needed.
Substrate:
A substrate such as Bed-A-Beast™ or any other lizard
bedding can be used. Moss also helps keep the humidity inside the cage, and
provides more cover for the geckos. Try to avoid substrates such as reptile
carpet or Repti-bark™.
Environment:
These geckos need a warm and humid environment. The
cage needs to be misted at least twice a day and the geckos themselves should be
misted. A large water dish is also helpful with humidity, even though
very few geckos will drink directly from the dish.
Diet:
A varied diet of crickets, mealworms, waxworms and
super worms works best for these geckos. Make sure to gut load the insects and
dust calcium/vitamin powder once a week. Make sure no uneaten crickets remain
in the cage, as crickets tend to bite at the limbs of the geckos and may injure
them.
Maintenance:
Dead crickets and fecal material should be cleaned
out regularly and the water bowl should be kept clean. Handlers should be sure
to thoroughly wash hands after handling animals or animal related materials.