There are many who love to have geckos as pets but are confused about which one to choose. There are so many out there; to be specific, 1500 worldwide. They make for good pets as they have this amazing ability to change color, adhesive toe pads, an eye-licking habit, and talkative nature. Their life expectancy is more than that of a pet dog or cat. The wild geckos must be avoided when you are thinking of having them as pets. It is mainly due to the reason that they are not used to remaining in captivity, so the best option is pet shops and breeders.
If you are in search of the perfect gecko pet for you, then here we are providing you with some of the species that you can select from.
The Different Species of Geckos
The Leopard Gecko (E. macularius)
If you are getting your first gecko pet, then it is advisable that you start with the Leopard Gecko. They are sturdy and easy to maintain. They hail from the western part of India to Afghanistan and Iraq. The life span of the leopard gecko is 15 – 30+ years as a pet. They can weigh up to 150gm and measures up to 10 inches. This can be an ideal pet for 8-year-olds and above.
The Electric Blue Gecko (Lygodacylus Williamsi)
The captivating electric blue color is that of the male species, the female one is green or drab brown in color. Their natural habitat is getting lost gradually and now to preserve them from further extinction, taking the wild caught is completely banned. This has increased their price. It loves to eat nectar and insects. The males of the species are territorial, so it is better to keep only one in the enclosure.
African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx Caudicinctus)
These geckos come in beige/tan stripes on brown shades. They are shy in nature and have practically no adhesive capabilities. They store their body fat in the big fat tail that they possess. They are originally from the western part of Africa, from Senegal to Cameroon. The length of these geckos generally varies from 8 to 14 inches. The African fat-tailed geckos also feed on worms and insects.
The Day Geckos of Madagascar (Phelsuma Grandis)
It comes in a very bright green color with red markings on it. Apart from the green color, you can also find the day geckos of Madagascar with a yellow head with two neon blue lines on the side. They are active during the daytime as well and are often found to be soaking in the sunlight while lazing on a branch. They soak in as much UV rays as they can so that they can glow in the night. A male and a female gecko will peacefully co-exist, but the same cannot be said about two male day geckos. A hiding place made out of bamboo will be a good option for this shy species.
Gargoyle Gecko (R. auriculatus)
They are the New Caledonian gecko and they are a great choice for pets. It is only 4 - 4.5 inches in length, excluding the tail. They have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. It is generally found in primary forest clearings and scrub bushes in the South Grande Terre. They have earned their name from their unique look. The most fascinating part of their body is their marbled eyes. They do take many morphs, but the red-striped one is the most stunning. The gargoyle gecko regenerates their tail if it loses it. If you are considering it to be your pet, then it is advisable that you stay aware of the fact that they have sharp teeth and can bite.
The Crested Gecko (Rhacodactylus Ciliates)
They were only found in New Caledonia forests. They were thought to be an extinct species until 1994 when they were again discovered. In Europe and the United States, the captive breeding of the crested gecko takes place and now they have become one of the most popular gecko pets. Above each eye, they have hair-like skin and from there they have got their name ‘eyelash gecko’. Apart from insects, these crested geckos feed on fruits and Rhapashy (usually found in the powder form). They prefer having live plants and branches to climb.
Dune Gecko (Stenodactylus Petrii)
The dune gecko is originally from Israel and Northern Africa. They are only 2-3 inches long and are popularly known as frog-eyed geckos due to the large eyes that they have. As compared to their body, their tail is pretty long and measures up to 1-2 inches. They are unable to climb smooth surfaces, unlike other geckos. You will find them resting in their caves during daytime, whereas they are active during the nighttime.
Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma Laticauda)
Generally, these geckos are found in shades of yellowish-green and green. But, rarely, they can also be found in a blue color. These geckos are found in Northern Madagascar and are 6 to 9 inches in length. Their look is very appealing with three vertical stripes on the lower back, tribal print body, and three rust color horizontal stripes. It seems like they have worn a lighter shade of blue eyeliner on their eyes. No matter whether the surface is smooth or rough, the gold dust geckos climb both the surfaces with aplomb. You can feed them plant nectar, fruits, and insects. The name gold dust came from the presence of the gold speckles present on their coats.
If you are planning to keep a gecko as a pet, then you must be clear in your mind that it will be completely different from keeping a pet dog or pet cat. You need to keep your geckos warm because they are generally cold-blooded. In case you are looking to tame your gecko, then you would definitely require a terrarium. The size of the terrarium will depend on the size of the gecko that you are buying. A high quality thermostat is a must to control the temperature of the under tank heat pad. Make them feel comfortable and at home by providing them with a hiding place in both the warm side and the cold side.
References and further readings
- Earth Touch News, Top 10: Totally gorgeous geckos
- Reptiles Magazine, Which Gecko Species Is Right For You?