RecoveryGeckos
Chinese cave gecko care guide
Goniurosaurus luii
A cool, humid, low-light gecko. The single biggest mistake is keeping them too warm — they need no basking lamp and a room that stays below 80°F.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Chinese cave gecko enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult chinese cave gecko should live in at least 24" L × 18" W × 18" H; we build toward 36" L × 18" W × 18" H (3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, roughly 4.5 sq ft of floor and about a 50-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 24" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 18" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Room temperature. Above 82°F is dangerous; cool the room rather than adding heat.
- Basking / warm surface
- None — no basking lamp
- Warm side (ambient)
- 76–80°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F ambient
- Night
- 65–72°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Optional low-output T5 UVB 5% heavily shaded (UVI under 1). Run lights on a 10–12 hours, dim photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 70–80%. Damp deep substrate, daily misting and a moss-filled hide; keep ventilation good.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil with leaf litter and moss. Depth: 3–4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Multiple cave-like hides and slate stacks
- Moss patches
- Low cork climbing
- Shallow water dish
Build list
- 24x18x18 front-opening terrarium — Ground space with a shaded, humid layout.
- 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.
- Bioactive soil, moss and leaf litter — Holds the high humidity they need.
Chinese cave gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Chinese cave gecko enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 18" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 18" W × 18" H — about 3 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft, or a 50-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Chinese cave gecko need?
Basking or warm surface None — no basking lamp, warm side 76–80°F ambient, cool side 70–75°F ambient, night 65–72°F. Room temperature. Above 82°F is dangerous; cool the room rather than adding heat.
Does a Chinese cave gecko need UVB?
Optional low-output T5 UVB 5% heavily shaded (UVI under 1). Photoperiod: 10–12 hours, dim.
What humidity does a Chinese cave gecko need?
70–80%. Damp deep substrate, daily misting and a moss-filled hide; keep ventilation good.
What substrate is best for a Chinese cave gecko?
Bioactive soil with leaf litter and moss, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Chinese cave gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" 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 chinese cave gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.