RecoveryGeckos
African fat-tailed gecko care guide
Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
A ground-dwelling West African gecko — like a leopard gecko but wanting more humidity and a permanently damp hide.
Terrestrial — floor space first
African fat-tailed gecko enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult african fat-tailed gecko should live in at least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 48" L × 24" W × 18" H (4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, roughly 8 sq ft of floor and about a 90-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 48" L × 24" W × 18" H recommended · min 36" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead halogen (or a thermostatted heat mat under a third of the floor) controlled by a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F surface on the warm end
- Warm side (ambient)
- 85–88°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Night
- 68–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% over the warm end (UVI 1–2). Run lights on a 12 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 50–60% ambient. Damp substrate layer plus a moist sphagnum hide — humidity is what makes their sheds come off cleanly.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / play-sand / coco fibre mix that holds a burrow. Depth: 3–4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Warm hide, cool hide and a humid hide
- Flat rock and cork bark clutter
- Shallow water dish
- Low branches for occasional climbing
Build list
- 36x18x18 front-opening terrarium — Floor space is what they use; height is secondary.
- Halogen + T5 UVB on a thermostat — Overhead heat plus low UVB matches wild exposure.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Topsoil/sand blend — Diggable and holds the humid microclimate.
African fat-tailed gecko FAQ
How big should an adult African fat-tailed gecko enclosure be?
At least 36" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 48" L × 24" W × 18" H — about 4 × 2 × 1.5 ft, or a 90-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a African fat-tailed gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F surface on the warm end, warm side 85–88°F ambient, cool side 72–78°F ambient, night 68–75°F. Overhead halogen (or a thermostatted heat mat under a third of the floor) controlled by a thermostat.
Does a African fat-tailed gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% over the warm end (UVI 1–2). Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a African fat-tailed gecko need?
50–60% ambient. Damp substrate layer plus a moist sphagnum hide — humidity is what makes their sheds come off cleanly.
What substrate is best for a African fat-tailed gecko?
Topsoil / play-sand / coco fibre mix that holds a burrow, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a African fat-tailed gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 24" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 18" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own african fat-tailed gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.