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If you’re considering adding one to your life as a pet, understanding their care, lifespan, diet, and size is essential to ensure a healthy and happy companion. There you have it, all you need to know about the common house gecko (well almost). So what will you do the next time you see one in your home? Hopefully, you’ll choose to live with it and let it take care of pest control. Once you get past the creepy skin, the common house gecko actually makes for a good pet.
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Once fully grown they measure just four to five inches (10 to 13 cm) from snout to tail. They are either gray or brown, with pink or purple undertones and dark mottling. This species looks very similar to a Common Gecko, but you can tell the difference by a Mediterranean’s bumpy skin and translucent underbelly. Females lay several clutches of two eggs during the summer. Eggs may be laid in crevices, under bark, in soil or other protected locations.
Lifespan and Health
But it’s best to avoid that issue altogether by keeping the geckos stress-free. You can use a reptile-safe disinfectant or a 10-percent bleach and water mixture to keep the bacteria under control. To prevent them from occurring, stay on top of tank conditions. Keep a hygrometer and thermometer in the tank so that you can ensure conditions are in the proper range. Stability is key when caring for any reptile, so avoid major fluctuations. Take your lizard to a vet specializing in exotic animals if you think that you’re dealing with an infection.
Keeping Common House Geckos as Pets
A slight drop in temperature at night mimics their natural habitat, contributing to their overall well-being. Handling these geckos requires a gentle touch, as they are delicate creatures. Regular, gentle handling encourages them to become more accustomed to human interaction, enhancing the bond between pet and owner. However, it’s essential to allow them time to acclimate to their new environment and handle them with care to prevent any potential stress or harm. Females do get along with others so if you want a group of geckos, make sure you only have one male in your enclosure to avoid fighting.
Interaction with Humans
These rituals can include vocalizations, head bobbing, tail wagging, and physical touch. The male may also engage in chasing or biting behavior to assert his dominance and demonstrate his suitability as a mate. They can get territorial, making squeaking sounds to ward off potential invaders.
Larger lizards can exceed five inches (barely), but they never get bigger than that. The UVB bulb should be housed in a reflective fixture and placed close to the heat lamp. UVB is blocked by glass and plastic, so you can’t give your gecko UVB by placing its terrarium in front of an open window. UVB bulbs decay over time, so expect to replace your bulb every 12 months.
What basking temperatures do house geckos need?
A submissive gecko will retreat or freeze, while an aggressor will snap its mouth, lunge or bite. In displays of dominance, two geckos will face off and squeak – this is common in males. They do not need full spectrum lighting, but make sure they have a 12hr day and night cycle. The Mediterranean gecko will drop its tail if it feels threatened. Their tail holds important fat reserves though, so try not to stress your Gecko. If your pet does drop their tail make sure they have lots of food and are comfortable as it grows back.
Habitat and diet
We hope you found this guide useful and consider getting this species as a pet. If you have any questions that we didn’t address above, send them our way and we’ll be happy to help. In most cases, they come from unsanitary living conditions. Still, include a bowl that’s large enough for the gecko to get in.
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However, they occasionally find themselves here via imported plants from Hawaii. You’re likely to find Western Banded Geckos around rocks or debris, which they use for cover when they are above ground. By being nocturnal and spending much of their time underground, they can withstand their habitat’s lack of rain and intense heat.
In addition, geckos can become an invasive species in the local area if they get out and survive the local temperatures. Ensuring the health and wellness of your Common House Gecko is paramount for a fulfilling and joyful companionship. Regular health check-ups, a balanced diet, and a comfortable living environment contribute significantly to your gecko’s overall well-being. House geckos need a moderate to high humidity level in their enclosure so aim for 60 to 75 percent relative humidity which you can measure with a hygrometer. Most commonly, this species is found in the continental US as an escaped pet.
Their nocturnal lifestyle is well-suited to their hunting behavior, as many of their prey, such as insects and spiders, are also active during the night. House geckos use their keen senses of sight and smell to locate their prey in the darkness. They rely on stealth and patience to stalk and capture their food, often waiting for the opportune moment to strike with their sticky tongues.
If you have more than one gecko, provide two sleeping areas so that they have the choice to be apart. Being informed about the legal and ethical considerations of keeping a Common House Gecko is essential for responsible pet ownership. Ensure that you are aware of any permits, restrictions, or regulations pertaining to the ownership and care of reptiles in your area. For those interested in the breeding aspect of reptile husbandry, Common House Geckos offer an intriguing opportunity. Before embarking on the breeding journey, it’s essential to be well-prepared and informed about the process, ensuring the health and safety of both the parent geckos and the offspring.
House geckos are nocturnal, so supplemental UVB lighting isn’t essential. Ensure 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to mimic their natural environment. Mediterranean house geckos thrive in temperatures between 65° to 90°F (18°-32°C). To achieve this gradient, use a heat mat or ceramic heat emitter on one side of the enclosure. Always use a thermometer to monitor the temperature throughout the habitat, ensuring a suitable gradient. Native to the Mediterranean region, these reptiles have made their way to various parts of the world, earning the name Turkish gecko and moon lizard.
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