WASAH
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY of AMATEUR HERPETOLOGISTS (Inc)
KEEPING ADVICE SHEET
Arboreal Geckoes
Marbled Velvet Gecko (Oedura marmorata)
Variegated or Tree – Maximum length 20 cm. Category 3.
Dtella NATURAL HABITS: Variegated Dtella occurs
in southern WA, excluding the southwest
Gehyra variegata corner and Nullarbor, in all habitats where it
hides in cracks and crevices on trees and
granite outcrops. Frequently found in
association with human habitation, particularly
on older buildings. Northern Spiny-tailed
Gecko occurs in semiarid eucalypt woodlands
in the northwest and central interior of WA.
South-west Spiny-tailed Gecko occurs in
dunes (yellow eyes), shrublands and
woodlands (orange eyes) on west coast from
Shark Bay (white eyes) south and east to the
Bight, excluding southwest corner. Marbled
Velvet Gecko occurs on rocky outcrops and
adjacent trees, from the Pilbara south to about
Yalgoo.
All Australian geckos are primarily nocturnal.
Variegated or Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata)
– Maximum length 12.5 cm. Category 2.
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus
HOUSING: An adult pair will require a top-
ciliaris) – Maximum length 8 cm (Male), 13 cm
ventilated, indoor vivarium of at least 40 x 20 x
(Female). Category 2.
30 cm high. Small aquariums with pegboard
covers are suitable. Enclosures must be
South-west Spiny-tailed Gecko (Strophurus secure and escape proof.
spinigerus) - Maximum length 10 cm (Male),
15 cm (Female). Category 2.
CAPTIVE ENVIRONMENT: Cage furnishings
can consist of pieces of bark, small rocks and
leaflitter, or a combination of these. Because
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these geckos are arboreal it is important to by restricting it to that required for general
include branches and twigs to allow climbing. husbandry. Always handle your gecko
These should be angled upwards diagonally carefully by the body so that it does not drop
from one side of the cage to the other. As its tail. The male is usually smaller and has
vivarium geckos the spiny-tails are great two obvious hemipene bulges at the base of
because they perch on a stick in the open the tail, either side of the vent. Female
during the day and so can be seen most of the Variegated Dtella may develop cheek
time. A favourite perching place, especially in swellings caused by calcium storage in
the cooler months, will usually be in a warm preparation for egg production. Breeding will
position close to the artificial heat source. For occur in the spring and summer if cooled off
a week or so before sloughing their skin off, for a few weeks in the winter. They deposit
these geckos usually like to hide. Ensure one or two eggs in a clutch, with two or three
there are suitable vertical refuges provided as consecutive clutches each season being
well as a horizontal hiding place in the form of common. When the eggs have developed
a piece of bark on the vivarium floor. sufficiently to be seen through the female’s
belly, create a suitable laying site for her,
TEMPERATURE & LIGHTING: To stimulate consisting of a small area of slightly damp soil
nocturnal behaviour and improve your ability at least 4 cm deep. By providing this, the
to observe them at the same time, install a red female is less likely to become egg bound.
or blue light globe to provide warmth at night. Males may fight during the breeding season
This can be replaced with a white globe in the and require separation at this time to avoid
day. A gradual cline of temperatures is damage to each other.
desired, so place the globe at one end of
vivarium. Experiment with different wattage DISEASES: A clean artificial reptile
globes, but if using a plastic container, ensure environment with the appropriate husbandry
that the wattage is not too high nor the globe mentioned above will usually result in your
too close to melt the plastic. The warm spot pets remaining healthy. Quarantine newly
should be about 28°C and the cool spot about acquired animals for at least a month before
18°C. introducing them to those already being kept.
WATER: A shallow water bowl should be REPTILE MITES: Reptile mites are the
provided at all times; include a small, half- scourge of many keepers. They can rapidly
submerged stone, which will provide a damp multiply and quickly kill a reptile. If an
place and contribute to vivarium humidity. infestation is found, it is imperative that you
Lightly spray the interior once a week with a take immediate action to eradicate it. Although
water atomiser as geckos may only drink by small (a large female may be one-third the
licking up the droplets. size of a pin head) they will be obvious on
white paper as miniature black tick-like
FOOD: A variety of insects such as animals. If you find you have an infestation, it
adequately sized mealworms; crickets, is important to kill it in situ. This can be
grasshoppers, cockroaches and moths will be achieved by placing a Sureguard Ministrip
readily taken. Many geckos will take termites within the respective cage for at least 8 hours
too. Food should be dusted with a before cleaning. Then follow-up with two 8-
calcium/vitamin supplement and offered every hour cycles two days apart. DO NOT expose
2-3 days in a small, shallow container. your pet to the pest strip for any longer or you
may kill it.
CAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR/BREEDING: These
geckos adjust readily to captivity despite being FURTHER READING: Care of Australian
shy in the wild. Spiny-tailed geckos may squirt Reptiles in Captivity – John Weigel, Reptile
a harmless, odorous fluid from the top of tail Keepers Association, Gosford, NSW.
when nervous. Keep handling to a minimum
