Thinking about welcoming a gecko into your home? Geckos can make fascinating and relatively low-maintenance pets, bringing a touch of the exotic to your life. If you’re asking “Can I Keep A Gecko As A Pet?”, you’re in the right place. This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to consider to determine if a gecko is the right pet for you and how to ensure you provide the best possible care for these unique reptiles.
Gecko Species Overview: Are They Right For You?
Geckos encompass a huge variety of species, each with unique needs and characteristics. One of the most common types considered for pets, especially for beginners, is the Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). Originally from southern Europe and northern Africa, these geckos have adapted to warm climates worldwide and are often found near human dwellings. They’re readily available, sometimes even found in your own home in warmer regions!
Common Name: Common house gecko, wall gecko, house lizard, Turkish gecko, Mediterranean gecko, or moon lizard
Scientific Name: Hemidactylus frenatus
Adult Size: Length of 3 to 5 inches (including the tail)
Life Expectancy: 5+ years in captivity
They are popular due to their hardiness and interesting behaviors. However, it’s crucial to understand their specific requirements before deciding “yes, I can keep a gecko as a pet”.
Understanding Gecko Behavior and Temperament
Common house geckos are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active at night. In their natural habitat, they are often found around houses in tropical areas, where they play a helpful role in controlling insect populations. They are fascinating to observe as they hunt insects drawn to lights around your home.
In captivity, while they tolerate human presence, common house geckos are not fans of frequent handling. They are quick and agile, making handling stressful for both you and the gecko. Their real charm lies in observing their natural behaviors within their enclosure, particularly their incredible climbing abilities. Their specialized toe pads allow them to effortlessly scale vertical surfaces, even glass, which is a captivating sight in a terrarium.
Setting Up the Perfect Gecko Habitat
To answer “can I keep a gecko as a pet?” with a confident yes, you need to be prepared to create the right environment. Housing is a critical factor in gecko care.
Enclosure Size and Type: A 20-gallon tall terrarium is a good starting point for a pair of common house geckos. However, bigger is always better to provide ample space. Prioritize height over length, as geckos are vertical climbers. Glass terrariums are ideal for maintaining humidity and allowing for clear observation.
Furnishings: Mimic their natural environment by providing plenty of climbing opportunities. Branches, driftwood, cork bark, and both real and artificial plants are excellent additions. Vertical space is key, so arrange furnishings to create different levels and climbing surfaces.
Social Housing: Male common house geckos are territorial and should never be housed together. Females can generally coexist peacefully. If you plan to keep multiple geckos, stick to a group of females or a single male with females, ensuring adequate space and hiding spots for all.
Hiding Spots: Geckos are naturally shy and need secure hiding places to feel safe and reduce stress. Provide caves, half-logs, or overturned small plant pots. If housing multiple geckos, ensure there are enough hides for each to have their own space.
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Substrate: Creating the Right Ground Layer
The substrate, or floor covering of the terrarium, plays a vital role in maintaining humidity and hygiene. For common house geckos, choose a substrate that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Recommended Substrates: Reptile bark (like cypress mulch) or shredded coconut fiber bedding are excellent choices. These substrates help maintain humidity levels and are easy to spot clean.
Substrates to Avoid: Sand and washable reptile carpets are not ideal as they do not retain moisture well and can make it difficult to maintain the necessary humidity for house geckos.
Cleaning: Regularly remove soiled substrate and replace it with fresh material. Spot cleaning as needed will help keep the enclosure clean and healthy.
Heat and Lighting: Mimicking a Tropical Climate
Common house geckos thrive in warm, humid environments. Replicating these conditions is essential for their well-being.
Temperature Gradient: Aim for a daytime temperature gradient within the enclosure, ranging from 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking spot should be at the higher end of this range. Nighttime temperatures can drop slightly, between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heating Methods: Ceramic heat emitters or reptile heat bulbs in reflector fixtures are effective for providing heat. Heat mats can be used as supplemental heat but are less effective at raising ambient air temperature in a tall terrarium. Use white light reptile heat bulbs during the day and red or purple nighttime bulbs for heat at night, which allows for nighttime viewing without disturbing their natural nocturnal behavior.
Lighting: While nocturnal, common house geckos still benefit from UVA/UVB lighting. Many experts recommend providing a UVA/UVB light bulb during the daytime hours to mimic natural sunlight, which can contribute to overall health and well-being, even for nocturnal species.
Humidity: Essential for Gecko Health
Humidity is a critical aspect of common house gecko care. They require a moderately high humidity level.
Humidity Levels: Aim for 60% to 75% relative humidity within the enclosure. Use a hygrometer to accurately monitor humidity levels.
Maintaining Humidity: Regular misting with water is the most effective way to maintain humidity. You can also provide a shallow water bowl for evaporation and consider using a reptile fogger for consistent humidity, especially in drier climates. Geckos will often drink water droplets from the enclosure walls and decorations after misting.
Food and Water: Feeding Your Gecko
Proper nutrition is key to a healthy gecko.
Diet: Common house geckos are insectivores. Their diet should primarily consist of small insects. Crickets are a staple food, supplemented with fruit flies, small flies, silkworms, and occasional mealworms. Variety is important for a balanced diet.
Feeding Schedule: Juvenile geckos need daily feeding, while adults can be fed every other day. Feed them in the evening, offering as much prey as they will readily consume in about 10 minutes.
Gut Loading and Supplementation: “Gut load” feeder insects by feeding them nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables before offering them to your gecko. Dust feeder insects with a calcium supplement two to three times a week and a multivitamin supplement once a week to ensure your gecko receives essential nutrients.
Water: Provide a shallow dish of fresh water daily, even though they primarily drink water droplets. The dish can also serve as a soaking option.
Common Health Issues and Prevention
Like all pets, geckos can be susceptible to certain health problems if their care requirements are not met.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This is a common issue in reptiles, caused by calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Symptoms include poor appetite, tremors, and limb deformities. Prevent MBD by providing proper calcium supplementation and UVB lighting.
Respiratory Infections: Pneumonia and other respiratory infections can occur, often indicated by drooling, wheezing, or excess mucus around the nose. These infections are often linked to improper temperature or humidity levels.
Seeking Veterinary Care: If you notice any signs of illness, consult a veterinarian experienced in exotic animals, especially reptiles. Early treatment is crucial for successful recovery.
Choosing Your Gecko: Wild-Caught vs. Captive Considerations
Common house geckos are often readily available and sometimes even found in homes. Most geckos sold as pets are “wild-caught.”
Wild-Caught Geckos: In many areas, particularly where they are invasive, taking a wild-caught common house gecko as a pet is not detrimental to the species and can be a responsible choice. However, always ensure it is legal and ethical to collect them in your location.
Captive-Bred Geckos: While less common for house geckos, captive-bred geckos are always preferable when available for any pet. They are typically healthier, better adjusted to captivity, and less likely to carry parasites.
Inspection Before Acquisition: Before getting any gecko, whether wild-caught or captive-bred, inspect it for signs of good health. Look for clear skin (no dry patches indicating shedding problems), bright eyes, and observe if it shows interest in food, if possible.
Are Geckos the Right Pet for You?
Answering “can I keep a gecko as a pet?” depends on your lifestyle and expectations. Geckos are relatively low-maintenance in terms of direct interaction. They are quiet, don’t require walks, and are fascinating to observe. However, they do require specific environmental conditions, a consistent supply of live insects, and a commitment to proper care.
If you are looking for a pet that is:
- Quiet and low-noise: Geckos are not vocal pets.
- Relatively low-maintenance (handling-wise): They are best as observation pets.
- Fascinating to watch: Their climbing and hunting behaviors are captivating.
- Long-lived: With proper care, they can live for many years.
Then a gecko might be an excellent choice for you. However, if you are looking for a pet to cuddle and interact with frequently, a gecko may not be the best fit.
Similar Gecko Species and Further Exploration
If you’re intrigued by geckos but want to explore other options, consider other beginner-friendly gecko species like:
- Leopard Geckos: Known for their docile nature and varied morphs.
- Crested Geckos: Arboreal and require similar humidity levels to house geckos, but have different dietary needs.
Exploring the world of reptiles and amphibians can open up a whole new dimension of pet ownership!
By understanding the specific needs of common house geckos and being prepared to provide the right environment, you can confidently answer “yes, I can keep a gecko as a pet” and enjoy the rewarding experience of caring for these unique creatures.
