Golden geckos, native to Vietnam, are an arboreal species that makes fascinating pets. Their care requirements are relatively straightforward, and their personalities are interesting to observe, especially for those willing to watch them during their active nighttime hours. Available from various sources, including pet stores, breeders, and online reptile shops, golden geckos can be a rewarding addition to any reptile enthusiast's collection. These hardy lizards can live for 15 years or more with proper care.
Physical Characteristics
Male golden geckos are slightly larger than females. Fully developed males have some very particular housing requirements. Males average 4 to 5 inches in snout-to-vent length, and 7 to 8 inches including the tail.
Housing
Because these geckos love to climb, they should ideally be kept in tall reptile terrariums. A standard 20-gallon tall tank with a fresh air screen lid would be adequate for a single adult. A standard 29-gallon tank is an excellent fit for a pair or trio. A tall terrarium is recommended as a pet’s living area.
Social Considerations
Females can be housed together, but males are territorial. There should generally only be one male per tank, as you don’t want to force interaction. To increase the enjoyment of your Gecko, climbing poles and other life-like materials are a good idea for your terrarium.
Temperature and Lighting
Golden geckos, like all reptiles, are ectotherms. Their environment needs to be kept within a proper temperature range so they are active and able to digest their food. Golden geckos are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, but typically prefer temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (23-29 degrees Celsius) during the day and between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-23 degrees Celsius) at night. A ceramic heat emitter with a proper light fixture works well to maintain adequate temperatures. An infrared or night bulb is a good choice if you’d like to be able to view your gecko when it is most active, at night. It is vital to maintain a temperature of 74-90 degrees Fahrenheit in their terrarium. A thermometer should be used to make sure that temperatures remain where they should.
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Golden geckos are nocturnal and do not require UVB lighting if they have Vitamin D3 in their diet.
Substrate and Decor
Because they are arboreal, a wide variety of substrates can be utilized in a golden gecko habitat, since they spend the majority of their time above ground. A substrate is one that retains moisture well. Coconut fiber and various bark chips designed for terrariums are good choices.
Golden geckos require adequate hiding places, as they spend most daylight hours out of sight. Plants, logs, and commercial hides all work well.
Humidity
Because their natural habitat is rainforest, golden geckos require a relatively humid cage. They will tolerate a wide range, but keeping relative humidity between 60% and 80% is ideal. If you don’t know too much about what that means, just get a well-tuned hygrometer. An inexpensive hygrometer can help monitor this. Humidity can be increased by misting the enclosure daily, as moist air means your Gecko won’t be thirsty. Misting also ensures water droplets are left on leaves, where your Gecko can climb to easily, and drink.
Cleanliness
Golden geckos can excrete an unpleasant smelling liquid and leave trails of it on the glass of their terrariums. The glass should be wiped down often, to keep the glass looking clean, as although this excretion doesn’t harm the geckos, it can make observing them more difficult.
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Diet and Nutrition
Golden geckos will enjoy a more varied diet than some pets, consisting of insects, fruit, and even commercial crested gecko food. These geckos are voracious eaters and thrive on varied diets.
Insects
Though your Gecko will be interested in eating small to medium insects, they can be finicky eaters. They often become disinterested if the same food is always offered, but this problem can be easily avoided simply by alternating insects and fruit. Commercially bred live reptile food, such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms, are also enjoyed. Crickets are very easy to get your hands on at almost any pet store. Waxworms, mealworms, roaches, moths, and silkworms can also be offered. If your Gecko really isn’t hungry, try something different than what you usually feed.
Fruits and Supplements
Geckos will enjoy tropical fruits from time to time as well. A piece of mango, or even a fruity baby food can be offered often. A meal replacement powder formulated for crested geckos mixed in a fruit puree is also readily accepted and more nutritionally sound than fruit alone. This author has found that these geckos particularly enjoy ripe mangos, and other softer fruits like papaya and banana.
A calcium and vitamin D3 supplement should be provided once a week. This can be achieved by dusting insects, or mixing the supplement into a fruit puree. Some geckos will accept supplement powder provided in a small dish, particularly females when they are getting ready to lay eggs. A puree that the author’s geckos enjoy can be made by mixing pureed fruit, either fresh or baby food, with about 15% pureed protein source in the form of insects or chicken.
Feeding Habits
These geckos eat readily from dishes and are generally very tidy and thorough eaters, making cleaning their dishes very simple. To keep these reptiles interested in their food source, construct something of a random calendar for skipping feeding days. For example, skip a feeding day one day, feed them the next, and then feed your gecko two days in a row. Do not let your gecko go for more than a day and a half or so without food.
Read also: Ancestral Nutrition for Goldens
Handling
As is true with any reptile, new specimens should be given a chance to acclimate to their environment before any handling attempts. Golden geckos are not the best candidates for handling, because they have very delicate skin, and are incredibly quick. Some may bite, but most are not aggressive. If handling is necessary, approach the gecko slowly, and gently corral it onto your hand, or into a transport container. With patient, gentle handling, these geckos can become very docile and easily handled. Always be calm while being handled to avoid putting your Gecko in danger of being dropped or otherwise hurt.
Other Considerations
First, male Geckos are very territorial, so you don’t want to keep multiple male Geckos in one living environment.
Ensuring a Healthy Environment
To ensure these conditions are met, you need some tools and equipment. These reptiles can be finicky eaters, so feeding your Gecko can be a point of stress. A well-tuned hygrometer is needed to ensure a relative humidity of 60-80 percent in their environment. Daily misting may be needed.