House Gecko Care

Adult Size
3 – 5 inches

Life Span
5 years

Male/Female Differences
Males have pores that can be found around their anal openings and legs.

Compatibility
Can live in groups if plenty of hiding places are offered. Males tend to be territorial.

Origin
Southeast Asia and northern Africa, but now found worldwide due to their insect eating abilities.

Climate
Humid and tropical jungles, but adapts to household environments well.

Day Cycle
Nocturnal, working the night shift when their food is available.

Temperature
70 – 85 degrees fine, cooler at night. Comfortable at most home temperatures. Use mild heat sources such as a low watt reptile heat mat.

Lighting
Even though house geckos are nocturnal, use a high quality UVA light to stimulate appetite and for emotional health.

Humidity
Keep humid with frequent misting and a large water bowl. Waterfalls provide ample moisture, and live plants can add to the humidity.

Habitat/Territory
House geckos are arboreal with special feet that allow them to climb even the smoothest glass.

Substrate/Bedding
Coconut fiber, small gravel, or vermiculite can be used, but the substrate is not important as they will spend most of their time hiding in plants. Moss helps provide extra moisture and humidity.

Hiding Place/Den
Provide plenty of plants – either artificial or real – for house geckos as they need places to hide.

Cage Type
Ten gallon aquariums or critter cages with screen tops work well for house geckos. This provides plenty of from for plants for them to hide in. Use care when removing the screen top to prevent the house gecko from escaping.

Diet
Insectivore in nature, their nutritional needs are met by feeding gut loaded crickets, mealworms, flies, and roaches.

Supplements
Supplements are not necessary for house geckos since they do not get large like other lizards. Excessive supplements can in fact be damaging to their small systems. Ensure proper nutrition by gut loading crickets with healthy foods.

Diet Precautions
House geckos have simple diet requirements, and need little extra foods. Ensure food is the right size; larger crickets might be harder for the house gecko to eat.

Feeding
Feed smaller crickets, 4 – 5 daily. Feed in the evening to mimic their natural feeding habits.

Water Source
Provide a water bowl for humidity and for soaking. Waterfalls offer clean, flowing water. Change water daily to keep clean.

Grooming
House geckos do shed their skin, so provide a water bowl to aid this process.

Oral and Foot Care
There is no foot or oral concern.

Proper Handling
Handling is not really recommended. House geckos are very fast and will quickly escape your hands.

Habitat Maintenance
Spot clean soiled areas and plants. Every few weeks replace substrate to prevent mold from growing.

Health Concerns
A hardy species, house geckos stay healthy when you maintain a good diet, proper temperature and humidity.