Geckos · Care guide
Goniurosaurus ssp.
Nocturnal/crepuscular geckos from Japan and China, growing to about 6–8 inches. Cooler glass-tank setup with a heat mat (probe 74 °F), terrestrial Shadedweller UV, humidity 60–70%, cork hides, and an insect-led diet.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Hot-end probe
74 °F
23 °C · at the heat mat
Night drop
~10 °F
~64 °F · ~18 °C
Humidity
60–70%
Spray 1–2× · night spike
UVB
Shadedweller
Terrestrial form
01 · Housing
Mainly terrestrial geckos that need cooler temperatures — glass tanks suit them better than wooden vivariums. Cork hides, some fallen branches, foliage, humid substrate, heat mat on the back glass, and terrestrial Shadedweller UV on the mesh lid. Adult minimum is 18″ × 18″ × 18″.
Adult minimum size
18″ W × 18″ D × 18″ H
Glass tank. Adults grow to around 6–8 inches total length. Warmth from a heat mat on the back of the glass; Shadedweller UV on the mesh lid.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 18″ × 18″ (depth 18″) · heat mat on back glass · cork hides · fallen branches · foliage · cool water bowl
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat mat on the back glass · probe at the hot end with the mat
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the tank · mat on the back glass · probe at the warm end
02 · Climate
Cool heat-mat setup with a hot-end probe of 74 °F, terrestrial Shadedweller UV, and humidity about 60–70% with a night spike.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 74 °F (23 °C) hot end creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool / ambient | Room ambient (Background) |
| Hot end (probe) (thermostat probe target) | 74 °F (23 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~64 °F (~18 °C) at night · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Glass tank mesh lid — Shadedweller UV sits on top of the lid · heat from mat (no basking bulb) · ~12 h winter / up to 16 h summer
Target about 60–70% RH — spray 1–2× daily without constant wetness.
1–2× daily
Manual spray, fogger, or misting system; allow slightly drier periods
~60–70%
Do not obsess over a fixed reading every hour — the band is the goal
Ventilate
Constant wetness raises bacteria — drier periods are normal and safe
Always have the mat thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the hot-end probe to 74 °F (23 °C) for daytime once the mat and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Insect-led diet with method of 5, dusting every feed, and well gut-loaded feeders. Growing animals often take about 5 insects daily; adults often slow to once or twice a week.
At a glance
Fed regularly
In moderation only
Dust every feeding with a 4:1 mix of calcium : Nutrobal (4 parts calcium to 1 part Nutrobal). Mix before dusting, then coat the food on every feed.
New arrivals often will not eat well for the first few days. This is normal. Once settled, appetite usually increases — exact cricket/locust counts vary.
Offer 5 insects at a time
Wait until you see them consumed before adding more
Reduces uneaten insects, stress, and possible insect-related injuries
Gut-load insects before offering — variety matters for calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) and vitamins.
Feeder insects must be well fed before offering. In the wild, lizards and amphibians scavenge a wide variety of prey that themselves ate varied foods — supplying complete nutrition and a better calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio.
Speak to a member of staff for more feeding advice.
04 · Behaviour
Settle first, then short sessions — let regular feeding be your cue to start.
Allow the gecko to settle and begin eating regularly before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as they become more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm your gecko.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UVB, humidity with safe water, and supplementation working together.
Correct temperatures, supplementation, hydration, and UVB keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is 18″ wide × 18″ high × 18″ deep. They are mainly terrestrial (they climb a little) — provide cork bark hides, some fallen branches, foliage for cover, and a cool-side water bowl. Use humidity-retentive coir mixed with coarse orchid bark (bio setups with live plants and cleanup crew also work well). Heat with a mat on the back of the glass; terrestrial Shadedweller UV sits on the mesh lid. Glass suits their cooler temperatures better than wooden vivariums.
Place the heat mat on the back of the glass tank. Feed the mat thermostat probe through the lid nodule so it rests at the back where the mat is — that monitors the hot end. Daytime probe target is 74 °F (23 °C), creating a gradient toward cooler room ambient. At night, reduce the mat stat by about 10 °F to around 64 °F (18 °C). Recommended temperatures only apply with this mat and probe placement.
About 60–70% relative humidity. Spray manually once or twice daily; foggers or misting systems can help. Night-time humidity is the most important (wild night spike). Slightly drier periods during the day are normal and safe — do not keep the enclosure wet at all times (bacteria risk). Use a terrestrial Shadedweller UV system on top of the mesh lid. Photoperiod about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Allow the gecko to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Use the method of 5 (five insects at a time until eaten). Growing animals often take about 5 crickets daily once settled; adults often reduce to once or twice a week. Staples: crickets, locusts, calci worms, and Dubia roaches; waxworms and mealworms in moderation. Dust every feed with a 4:1 calcium : Nutrobal mix. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
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