RecoveryGeckos
Leachianus gecko care guide
Rhacodactylus leachianus
The largest living gecko. Adults need a tall, heavily furnished enclosure with a hollow cork retreat, and are usually kept singly — they can be territorial.
Arboreal — vertical height first
Leachianus gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult leachianus gecko should live in at least 24" L × 24" W × 36" H; we build toward 36" L × 24" W × 48" H (3 × 2 × 4 ft, roughly 6 sq ft of floor and about a 180-gallon glass equivalent).
Larger mainland animals are happiest in a 36x24x48 or a custom cage.
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 24" L × 18" W × 36" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 24" W × 48" H recommended · min 24" L × 24" W × 36" H
Temperature and heating
Room temperature; use a low-wattage ceramic on a thermostat only if the room drops below 65°F. Above 82°F is dangerous.
- Basking / warm surface
- None — no basking lamp
- Warm side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 68–74°F ambient
- Night
- 65–72°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% at a distance (UVI 1–2 at the top perch). 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 60–75% at night, drying to ~50% by day. Evening misting with good ventilation; wet stagnant air causes respiratory problems.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil / coco fibre with leaf litter. Depth: 3–4 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Large hollow cork round as a daytime retreat
- Heavy branches that hold an adult's weight
- Dense foliage screening
- Feeding ledge for CGD
- Water dish
Build list
- 36x24x48 (or custom) front-opening cage — Adults are heavy-bodied and need real climbing volume.
- Low-output T5 UVB — Supports calcium metabolism.
- 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.
- Large hollow cork round — Their preferred sleeping retreat — most leachies will not settle without one.
- Bioactive soil / coco fibre — Holds humidity and supports a clean-up crew.
Leachianus gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Leachianus gecko enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 24" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 36" L × 24" W × 48" H — about 3 × 2 × 4 ft, or a 180-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Leachianus gecko need?
Basking or warm surface None — no basking lamp, warm side 72–78°F ambient, cool side 68–74°F ambient, night 65–72°F. Room temperature; use a low-wattage ceramic on a thermostat only if the room drops below 65°F. Above 82°F is dangerous.
Does a Leachianus gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% at a distance (UVI 1–2 at the top perch). Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a Leachianus gecko need?
60–75% at night, drying to ~50% by day. Evening misting with good ventilation; wet stagnant air causes respiratory problems.
What substrate is best for a Leachianus gecko?
Bioactive soil / coco fibre with leaf litter, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Leachianus gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own leachianus gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.