Welcome, future gecko owner! You’ve decided to take the plunge and bring a Mourning Gecko into your life. Congratulations on this wise and rewarding decision! These tiny reptiles are known for their big personalities and lovable quirks, making them a popular pet choice for both novice and experienced reptile owners alike.
However, just because they’re small and easy to care for doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the best care possible. Proper care and attention are essential to ensure that your Mourning Gecko stays healthy and happy. In fact, providing inadequate care can lead to stress, illness, and even death. So, it’s important to educate yourself on the best practices for caring for these adorable little lizards.
Let’s dive into this ultimate mourning gecko care guide!
| Characteristic | Information |
|---|---|
| Size | 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) |
| Weight | 2-5 grams (0.07-0.18 ounces) |
| Color | Typically brown or gray with black and white markings |
| Latin Name | Lepidodactylus lugubris |
| Original Habitat | Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands |
| Lifespan | 6-8 years |
| Enclosure Size | At least 12x12x18 inches (30.5×30.5×45.7 cm) for one gecko, and an additional 6x6x6 inches (15.2×15.2×15.2 cm) for each additional gecko |
| Diet | Insects and small invertebrates |
| Temperature Range | 75-85°F (23.9-29.4°C) during the day and 65-75°F (18.3-23.9°C) at night |
| Humidity Range | 70-80% |
| Reproduction | Can reproduce asexually, laying eggs without a male counterpart |
| Other | Nocturnal and arboreal, with adhesive toe pads for climbing |
Mourning Gecko In The Wild
The Mourning Gecko, also known as the Stump-toed Gecko or Ocellated Gecko, is a small nocturnal lizard native to Madagascar. They get their name from their habit of calling out mournful-sounding chirps during mating and territorial disputes, although they are anything but sad creatures! These geckos have a unique appearance, with large, expressive eyes and sticky toe pads that allow them to climb walls and ceilings with ease. They also have the amazing ability to reproduce asexually, meaning they can lay eggs and produce offspring without the need for a male counterpart. Now that’s what we call girl power! These geckos are all female, hence the name “mourning gecko”, which comes from the early belief that they were grieving for their lost mates.
Mourning Gecko Care
You may be wondering why these little geckos are such a popular pet. Well, for starters, they’re low maintenance and don’t require a lot of space. Unlike their larger reptilian counterparts, Mourning Geckos can comfortably live in a small enclosure, making them ideal for flat dwellers or those with limited space. Plus, they’re relatively inexpensive to care for and don’t require a lot of specialized equipment or diet.
Housing Requirements
First things first, let’s talk about housing requirements. Your Mourning Gecko is going to need a place to call home, so it’s important to set up a proper enclosure. When it comes to the size of the enclosure, bigger is always better. These little guys love to climb, so make sure there’s plenty of space for them to explore. As a rule of thumb, the enclosure should be at least 12 inches (ca. 30 cm) in length, 12 inches (ca. 30 cm) in width, and 18 inches (ca. 46 cm) in height.
| Equipment | Description |
|---|---|
| Terrarium | Glass tank with a screened lid |
| Substrate | Coconut fiber or sphagnum moss |
| Lighting | A low-wattage red or blue bulb |
| Heating | A low-wattage heat mat |
| Humidity | A spray bottle and hygrometer |
| Food and Water Dishes | Small dishes that are easy to clean |
Enclosure
Next up, let’s talk about the type of enclosure. A glass terrarium with a screen top is ideal, as it allows for proper ventilation while maintaining a stable temperature and humidity level. And speaking of humidity, let’s not forget about substrate. You’ll want to use a substrate that holds moisture.
Substrate
Once you have your enclosure, you’ll need to add substrate. Substrate is the material that lines the bottom of the tank and provides a surface for your gecko to walk and rest on. Some good options for substrate include coconut fibre, sphagnum moss, or even paper towels. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s safe for your gecko to ingest and easy to clean.
Temperature and Lighting
Next, let’s talk about temperature and lighting. Mourning Geckos are nocturnal creatures, so they don’t require a lot of light. A day/night cycle of 12 hours on and 12 hours off is sufficient. You’ll also need to provide heat sources to keep your gecko warm. This can be done with a heat mat, ceramic heat emitter, or even a low-wattage light bulb.
In addition to heat, you’ll need to maintain proper humidity levels in your gecko’s enclosure. Ideal humidity levels for Mourning Geckos range between 60% to 80%. To maintain humidity, you can mist the enclosure with water using a spray bottle or invest in a humidifier. You can also add moisture-retaining materials such as sphagnum moss or a water dish to help regulate the humidity.
Furnishing
These tiny lizards may not need much, but they sure do appreciate a nice home.
First things first, you’ll want to create a cozy hideout for your gecko. You can use various materials such as cork bark, coconut hides, or even make a DIY hideout out of a plastic container.
Don’t forget to add some climbing opportunities for your little guy! You can add branches, vines, or even create a little rock formation. Just make sure it’s not too tall, as mourning geckos aren’t the best climbers out there.
Last but not least, let’s talk plants! Adding live plants is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also great for your gecko’s mental and physical health. You can choose from various low-light plants like pothos, bromeliads, or spider plants.
Feeding Your Mourning Gecko
Now that you’ve got your Mourning Gecko settled into their new home, it’s time to talk about feeding and watering. These little geckos may be small, but they sure do have big appetites!
Let’s start with their diet. In the wild, Mourning Geckos primarily feed on insects such as crickets, fruit flies, and mealworms. You can also offer them other small insects like waxworms or small superworms as occasional treats. When feeding your gecko live insects, be sure to offer appropriately sized prey that your gecko can easily consume. You don’t want to offer prey that is too large, or else your gecko could become impacted.
If you’re not a fan of keeping live insects, you can also offer commercial gecko food. These are specially formulated diets that provide a balanced blend of nutrients and vitamins for your gecko. You can find these in both dry powder or pre-made gel form, and they can be a great alternative to live insects. Just be sure to read the ingredients list and choose a high-quality brand that is appropriate for your gecko’s age and size.
Feeding schedule
When it comes to feeding schedule, Mourning Geckos are typically fed every other day. It’s important not to overfeed your gecko, as obesity can be a serious health issue. As a general rule of thumb, offer your gecko an amount of food that is no larger than the space between their eyes.
Watering needs
Now let’s talk about watering. Like all living creatures, Mourning Geckos need access to clean water. You can provide water in a shallow dish or use a misting system to ensure that their enclosure is always properly hydrated. Be sure to change the water frequently and clean the dish regularly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
When it comes to water quality, it’s critical to use clean, chlorine-free water. If you’re using tap water, you can use a dechlorinating agent to remove any harmful chemicals. You can also use bottled spring water or filtered water if you prefer.
Mourning Gecko Health Concerns
Just like any other living creature, your gecko can fall ill if you’re not careful. So, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any signs of illness. The most common health issues that your mourning gecko may experience are metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and parasitic infections.
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is a condition that occurs due to a lack of calcium and vitamin D3 in their diet. The symptoms of MBD include deformities, lethargy, tremors, and difficulty moving. To prevent MBD, make sure that you’re feeding your gecko a calcium-rich diet and providing them with adequate UVB lighting.
Respiratory infections are another common health issue that mourning geckos may face. The symptoms of a respiratory infection include wheezing, labored breathing, and mucus in the nose and mouth. To prevent respiratory infections, make sure that the humidity levels in their enclosure are at the optimal level.
Lastly, parasitic infections can be another health issue for your mourning gecko. Symptoms of a parasitic infection include weight loss, lack of appetite, and lethargy. To prevent parasitic infections, you should keep their enclosure clean and regularly check their feces for any signs of parasites.
Mourning Gecko Overall Wellness
In addition to preventing illnesses, it’s also essential to focus on your gecko’s overall wellness. One way to do this is by providing them with enough exercise. You can do this by adding climbing structures, hiding places, and other enrichment activities to their enclosure.
Another crucial aspect of their wellness is to minimize stress. Mourning geckos can get stressed if their enclosure is too small, they’re not getting enough food, or if they’re not feeling secure in their environment. So, make sure that their enclosure is the right size, and they have plenty of hiding places to make them feel secure.
Finally, shedding is a natural process that your mourning gecko will go through. During this time, you may notice that they’re more irritable or not eating as much. It’s essential to ensure that the humidity levels are optimal during this time to make the process more comfortable for them.
Handling and Socialization
Now that you’ve got your Mourning Gecko’s housing and feeding needs all sorted out, it’s time to focus on socialization and handling. These adorable little lizards can be great pets to handle, but it’s important to approach them with caution and respect.
Mourning Geckos have a reputation for being docile and easy to handle, but every gecko is different. Some may be more shy or skittish than others, so it’s important to pay attention to your gecko’s body language and behavior when handling them. If your gecko seems stressed or uncomfortable, it’s best to give them some space and try again later.
How to Handle a Mourning Gecko
When handling your gecko, it’s important to support their entire body to avoid injuring them. You can use your hands to gently scoop them up from underneath, or use a small container to guide them onto your hand. Avoid picking them up by their tail, as they can drop it as a defense mechanism (although it will eventually grow back).
Socializing a Mourning Gecko
Socialization is also an important aspect of keeping a happy and healthy Mourning Gecko. These lizards are not social creatures and do not need to be housed together. In fact, keeping multiple geckos in the same enclosure can lead to aggression and stress.
However, you can still provide your gecko with socialization opportunities. For example, you can interact with them regularly, talk to them, and even offer them treats by hand. This will help your gecko get used to your presence and become more comfortable with you over time.
Overall, handling and socializing your Mourning Gecko can be a rewarding experience for both you and your pet. Just remember to approach them with care and respect, and always pay attention to their behaviour to ensure they are comfortable and happy.
Breeding and Reproduction
You won’t believe it, but Mourning Geckos have an incredible superpower – they can reproduce asexually! That’s right, they don’t need a partner to lay eggs and produce offspring. This means that if you have a female Mourning Gecko, she can still lay fertile eggs without a male companion around.
But before you get too excited, keep in mind that this process, known as parthenogenesis, isn’t foolproof. The eggs may not always hatch, and even if they do, the hatchlings may not be as healthy as those produced through sexual reproduction.
Interestingly, despite being clones of each other, mourning geckos do exhibit some genetic diversity. This diversity manifests in varying patterns on their skin, depending on their locale. For instance, a Hawaiian mourning gecko looks different from its South American counterpart.
If you do decide to breed your Mourning Geckos, keep in mind that it’s still important to provide them with the proper care and conditions to ensure the health and well-being of both the parents and offspring. Make sure to provide a suitable nesting box for your female gecko, and maintain proper temperature and humidity levels to increase the chances of successful hatching.
Once the eggs do hatch, you’ll need to take extra care to ensure the hatchlings are healthy and growing properly. Offer them small insects such as fruit flies, and make sure they have access to clean water at all times. Keep them in a separate enclosure until they are big enough to be safely introduced to the adult geckos.
What we’ve learned
Well, that’s all we have for you about the marvellous mourning gecko! We hope you’ve learned a lot about caring for these fascinating creatures, from their housing requirements and feeding habits to their health and wellness. Don’t forget to handle them with care and socialize them regularly, as they can make great pets with the right amount of attention and love. And remember, if you ever want to add more geckos to your collection, just know that they have the amazing ability to reproduce asexually! So go forth and enjoy your new scaly friends, and always remember to provide them with the best care possible. Happy gecko-keeping!