RecoveryGeckos
Mourning gecko care guide
Lepidodactylus lugubris
A tiny parthenogenetic gecko — all females, and any group will reproduce without a male. Kept in colonies in a planted vertical tank.
Arboreal — vertical height first
Mourning gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult mourning gecko should live in at least 12" L × 12" W × 18" H; we build toward 18" L × 18" W × 24" H (1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, roughly 2.3 sq ft of floor and about a 34-gallon glass equivalent).
An 18x18x24 comfortably holds a colony of 4–6; they breed continuously, so plan for growth.
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 8" L × 8" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
Temperature and heating
Room temperature, or a low-wattage overhead bulb on a dimmer if the room is cool.
- Basking / warm surface
- No lamp needed — a warm spot of 85°F at most
- Warm side (ambient)
- 78–82°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–76°F ambient
- Night
- 68–74°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–2) — they do bask despite being nocturnal. 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 60–80% cycling daily. Mist morning and evening; a planted bioactive setup holds it naturally.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil with leaf litter and springtails. Depth: 2–3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Bamboo and cork verticals
- Dense live planting (pothos, bromeliads)
- Egg-laying crevices in cork
- Feeding ledge for CGD and fruit puree
Build list
- 12x12x18 or 18x18x24 planted vertical — Colony climbing space with escape-proof seals.
- Low-output T5 UVB — Improves colour, calcium use and egg quality.
- 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 + springtails — Feeds the clean-up crew and holds humidity.
Mourning gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Mourning gecko enclosure be?
At least 12" L × 12" W × 18" H, and we recommend building to 18" L × 18" W × 24" H — about 1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, or a 34-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Mourning gecko need?
Basking or warm surface No lamp needed — a warm spot of 85°F at most, warm side 78–82°F ambient, cool side 72–76°F ambient, night 68–74°F. Room temperature, or a low-wattage overhead bulb on a dimmer if the room is cool.
Does a Mourning gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–2) — they do bask despite being nocturnal. Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a Mourning gecko need?
60–80% cycling daily. Mist morning and evening; a planted bioactive setup holds it naturally.
What substrate is best for a Mourning gecko?
Bioactive soil with leaf litter and springtails, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Mourning gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 8" L × 8" 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 mourning gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.