RecoveryGeckos
Pictus gecko care guide
Paroedura pictus
A small, fast Madagascan ground gecko. Simple arid-ish setup with a humid hide, but they are quick — open the enclosure low and slow.
Terrestrial — floor space first
Pictus gecko enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult pictus gecko should live in at least 24" L × 12" W × 12" 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 × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 36" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 24" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Low-wattage halogen over one end on a dimming thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–92°F warm surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 82–86°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–78°F ambient
- Night
- 68–74°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% (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%. Dry surface with a damp sphagnum hide; mist lightly at night.
Substrate and depth
Topsoil / sand mix. Depth: 2–3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Warm, cool and humid hides
- Cork flats and rock clutter
- Low branches
- Shallow water dish
Build list
- 24x18x12 or larger terrarium — Ground-level running space.
- Halogen + low UVB — A gentle gradient with basking option.
- 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 easy to spot clean.
Pictus gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Pictus gecko enclosure be?
At least 24" L × 12" W × 12" 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 Pictus gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 88–92°F warm surface, warm side 82–86°F ambient, cool side 72–78°F ambient, night 68–74°F. Low-wattage halogen over one end on a dimming thermostat.
Does a Pictus gecko need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 1–2). Photoperiod: 12 hours.
What humidity does a Pictus gecko need?
50–60%. Dry surface with a damp sphagnum hide; mist lightly at night.
What substrate is best for a Pictus gecko?
Topsoil / sand mix, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Pictus 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 pictus gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.