FAT TAIL GECKO  

• The African Fat-Tailed Gecko originates from the savannah areas of western Africa.
• Fat tailed geckos are dark or light brown with two main patterns -- one with a white stripe down back, and one without. The most notable feature is their large, thick tail (used for fat storage). Their color can lighten or darken to blend in with their environment.
• Adult females average 6-8”; males 8-10” with an average 15 year lifespan.

Diet

Provide a variety of gut-loaded and calcium with D3 dusted insects such as crickets and mealworms, feeding adults every 2 days, juveniles daily.

A shallow water dish should be available at all times, changing daily. Your Geckos may prefer to lick water from leaves; mist the enclosure at least once each day.

Housing  

Fat tailed females may be housed together; males should be kept as singles as males are territorial and will fight. Several females can live with one male. A 10 gallon tank is the minimum size for an adult with a full screen top. Use a reptile forest or coconut substrate that is soft yet firm. Fat-tails like to burrow in slightly moist substrate to rehydrate. Include several hide places, rocks, plants and branches for climbing.

Provide separate heat zones with one end in the upper 80’s and the other in the mid 70’s with overall night temps cooling to the lower 70’s. Radiant heat from a ceramic heater or incandescent bulb is ideal. Florescent lighting should also be provided 12 hours per day. At night, red bulbs may be used for viewing nocturnal activity.

A high humidity over 50% should be maintained by frequent misting and offering a humidity hide with damp moss. When preparing to shed, they appreciate moist caves.

Handling and Care

Although they are very docile and withstand handling, you must be careful of their tails. Never grab an African fat tail by the tail because when they are frightened, they will drop their tails. Their tails do regenerate, however, they do not grow back nearly as pretty. Young geckos are more easily frightened and more apt to drop their tails.

Clean out feces and uneaten food daily. Clean the entire habitat weekly.

Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.

Health

Too low and too high humidity can be detrimental, but as long as you provide a humid hide, your gecko will be able to get the proper humidity that he needs. High humidity levels can cause mold and upper respiratory infection.

Take your Fat Tail Gecko to an exotics veterinarian if you notice: weight loss or decreased appetite; mucus in the nose or mouth; labored breathing; lethargy; skin lesions; abnormal feces; paralysis of tail or legs.