Afican Fat-Tailed Gecko Care

 

African Fat-Tailed Geckos (AFTs) are often considered good beginner reptiles due to their docile nature and relatively straightforward care. They are nocturnal, ground-dwelling lizards native to West Africa.

1. Enclosure:

 * Size: A single adult AFT needs a minimum of a 20-gallon long terrarium, though a 36”L x 18”W x 16”H or larger is highly recommended. Bigger is always better for enrichment and proper temperature gradients.

 * Type: Glass terrariums with screen tops are common, allowing for heat lamp placement and ventilation. Wooden vivariums can also work well for insulation.

 * Cohabitation: AFTs are solitary animals. Never house two males together, as they are territorial and will fight. While some sources say females can be housed together, it’s generally best to keep them solitary to avoid stress and potential issues.

2. Substrate:

 * Recommended: A soil-based substrate or a mix of soil and sand (e.g., 70% soil, 30% play sand) is ideal to encourage natural digging and burrowing behavior. Coco fiber (like Eco Earth) is also a popular choice as it holds humidity well.

 * Avoid: Calcium sand and reptile carpets are generally not recommended. Calcium sand can cause impaction if ingested, and reptile carpets can harbor bacteria and snag toes.

 * Depth: The substrate should be at least 4 inches deep to allow for burrowing.

3. Heating & Lighting:

 * Heat Source: AFTs are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat.

   * Overhead heating (recommended): A halogen heat lamp is best for creating a basking spot and mimicking natural sunlight. Place it on one side of the enclosure.

   * Under-tank heater (UTH): Can be used, but must be connected to a thermostat to prevent overheating and should not be used as the sole heat source, especially with thick substrate.

 * Temperatures:

   * Basking Spot (Warm Hide): 90-94°F (32-34°C). Place a light-colored rock or flagstone under the heat lamp to create a basking platform and provide belly heat.

   * Cool Side: 72-77°F (22-25°C).

   * Nighttime: Temperatures can drop to 68-77°F (20-25°C).

 * Monitoring: Use a digital probe thermometer to accurately measure temperatures in different areas of the enclosure.

 * Lighting: AFTs are nocturnal and do not require UVB lighting, but it is highly beneficial for their overall health and vitamin D3 synthesis. A low-level UVB bulb (e.g., Arcadia ShadeDweller or 6% T5) can be used. All lights should be on a 12-hour day/night cycle.

4. Humidity:

 * Levels: AFTs prefer moderate humidity, generally 50-60%. However, they also need a “humid hide” where humidity is much higher (85-100%) to aid in shedding and hydration.

 * Humid Hide: Provide a cave or hide filled with moistened substrate (like sphagnum moss or paper towels) and place it on the cooler side of the enclosure.

 * Monitoring: Use a digital hygrometer to track humidity levels.

 * Misting: You may need to mist the enclosure occasionally to maintain humidity, especially during a “wet season” (April-October, 70-80% daytime humidity).

5. Hides and Enrichment:

 * Hides: Provide at least three hides: a warm hide, a cool hide, and a humid hide. These can be rock caves, half logs, or even overturned plastic containers with an entrance.

 * Clutter: AFTs feel more secure in cluttered environments. Use branches, rocks, leaf litter, and artificial or live plants to create hiding spots and visual barriers.

 * Digging: Since they are burrowing animals, ensure your substrate allows for digging enrichment.

6. Diet:

 * Insectivores: African Fat-Tailed Geckos are insectivores, meaning they primarily eat insects.

 * Staple Feeders: Crickets, Discoid roaches, and black soldier fly larvae are excellent staple feeders.

 * Variety is Key: Offer a varied diet to ensure complete nutrition. Other feeder insects include mealworms, superworms, hornworms, and silkworms.

 * Feeding Frequency:

   * Juveniles: Daily.

   * Young Adults: Every other day to every 3 days.

   * Adults: Every 5 days if their tail is fatter than their neck (this indicates good fat reserves).

 * Size: Feeder insects should be no wider than the gecko’s head.

 * Supplements:

   * Calcium: Dust all feeder insects with calcium powder at every feeding.

   * Multivitamin: Dust with a supplementary multivitamin about once a week.

 * Gut-Loading: Always “gut-load” feeder insects by feeding them a nutritious diet (e.g., commercial gut-load products, leafy greens, or high-quality reptile food) for at least 24 hours before feeding them to your gecko.

7. Water:

 * Fresh Water: Always provide fresh, clean, chlorine-free water in a shallow, tip-resistant water bowl.

 * Cleaning: Change the water daily and scrub the bowl with an animal-safe disinfectant at least once a week.

8. Handling:

 * Gentle and Slow: AFTs can be shy but can become tame with regular, gentle handling. Always support their whole body.

 * Avoid Grabbing: Never grab them from above, chase them, or pull them out of a hiding place.

 * Tail Dropping: AFTs can drop their tails if stressed or startled. The tail will regrow, but it won’t look exactly the same.

 * Reward: You can offer a small insect as a reward after handling.

 * Shedding: Avoid handling your gecko when it is shedding, and never pull on loose skin.

9. Cleaning:

 * Spot Cleaning: Remove poop and urates daily.

 * Full Cleaning: Completely replace substrate every 3-4 months, or more frequently if needed. If using a bioactive enclosure, spot cleaning and monitoring are typically sufficient.

By providing the right environment and care, your African Fat-Tailed Gecko can thrive and be a wonderful, long-lived pet.