Geckos
Western banded gecko care guide
Coleonyx variegatus
A small, nocturnal North American desert gecko.
Terrestrial — floor space first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Western banded gecko enclosure size
Terrestrial — floor space first. An adult western banded gecko should live in at least 18" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 24" L × 18" W × 12" H (2 × 1.5 × 1 ft, roughly 3 sq ft of floor and about a 22-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–90°F warm surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F
- Night
- 65–70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial but not strictly required. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 30–40%. Dry setup with a humid hide.
Substrate and depth
Sand/soil mix. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Small dusted insects every 2–3 days.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- 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.
Western banded gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Western banded gecko enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 18" W × 12" H — about 2 × 1.5 × 1 ft, or a 22-gallon glass equivalent. Terrestrial — floor space first.
What temperatures does a Western banded gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 88–90°F warm surface, warm side 80–85°F, cool side 70–75°F, night 65–70°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Western banded gecko need UVB?
Low-level UVB beneficial but not strictly required. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Western banded gecko need?
30–40%. Dry setup with a humid hide.
What substrate is best for a Western banded gecko?
Sand/soil mix, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Western banded gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" 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 western banded gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.