Post by Admin - Angi on Apr 13, 2007 15:30:53 GMT
As its says, these are basic guidelines only.
Satanic and Spear Leaf Tailed geckos
Uroplatus phantasticus and Uroplatus ebenaui
Origin – Madagascar & surrounding islands
Adult size 4-6 inches
Longevity 3-5 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity.
Housing
A minimum size vivarium for a pair or trio of this arboreal species would be 2ft high x 15” x 15”. Enclosure material will need to withstand high humidity, therefore a glass or fibre glass enclosure with one mesh side is recommended. Wooden vivariums can be used but it is suggested that you seal all joins with aquarium sealant. Good ventilation is essential with high humidity to prevent stagnant air.
Substrates
Kitchen towel or newspaper can be used and is easy to clean out. Coco fibre, potting soil and orchid bark are more naturalistic, plus they will aid towards retaining humidity levels. Change substrate regularly as high humidity and warm temperatures, may produce growths of mould.
Vivarium furnishings
Provide your geckos with an abundance of branches to climb and plants (live( such as pothos or fiscus) or artificial) to hide within. Bark may also aid your gecko in sloughing its skin.
Temperature and heating
These geckos do not tolerate temperatures above 80F, which can be fatal. When obtaining your gecko, think carefully about how you will keep temperatures down in the summer months. Aim to keep temperatures between 70F and 80F, with a slight night time drop. If heating is required to maintain these temperatures during cold spells then please use in conjunction with the appropriate thermostat and guard. If you cannot keep the enclosures temperatures within these temperatures then do not keep this species.
Humidity and water Humidity should be kept between 75 and 90%. Try spraying the enclosure 1 – 3 times daily and monitoring humidity with a hygrometer. Slightly damp substrate will also assist in retaining humidity levels. These geckos will drink when sprayed, from virtually any surface, but they should also be provided with a shallow water bowl.
Feeding
Feed on small insects approximately ¼ inch in size, late at night. Offer only enough to be eaten in one evening ( around 6 – 12 per gecko). Stick mainly to crickets with an occasional treat of waxworms. These geckos may also appreciate a small amount of pureed fruit ( not citrus). Live food should be gut loaded with good quality vegetables such as spring greens or a commercially available gutloading food, to increase nutritional content for your gecko. They should also be dusted with a good quality calcium, vitamin D3 and multivitamin supplement 2 – 3 times weekly ( do not spray the enclosure after adding dusted crickets – this will wash the supplements off).
Lighting
Although there is no current scientific evidence to show whether these nocturnal geckos actually benefit from UVB lighting or not, there is actually ongoing research. It is suggested that you keep updated on this topic in the future in order to ensure you continue to provide your gecko with the most up-to-date care. These geckos are nocturnal and harsh, bright lighting is likely to cause them stress. If you really need lighting then a red light is suggested for night time viewing, please use a guard and ensure the light doesn’t raise the temperature of the enclosure above 80F. With my own specimens, I have found that as soon as a UV lighting source was introduced they changed their favourite sleeping places, in favour of spots closer to the light, whewre they remained partially exposed to it.
Temperament
These fragile geckos are shy and not to be handled frequently. They can bite, but it is unlikely and should cause little damage.
Suitability as a pet These geckos are not suitable pets for beginners to keeping reptiles or children.
Written by Angi Nelson
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these care sheets, we acknowledge that differences of opinion do exist within the reptile world. Therefore we do encourage you do read around this topic further and discuss it with known keepers and breeders.
If you feel that we have made any errors, please feel free to contact any member of the team and we will endeavour to research the subject at hand further.
Suggested further reading -
Uroplatus articles within the geckos section on this website
www.repashy.com/forums
Photographs by Angi Nelson
Uroplatus phantasticus
Uroplatus ebenaui
Uroplatus ebenaui
You will also find my second article on Uroplatus in the next edition of Reptile Care magazine out in 1-2 weeks ( http://www.reptilecareuk.com)Volume 4 issue1
Satanic and Spear Leaf Tailed geckos
Uroplatus phantasticus and Uroplatus ebenaui
Origin – Madagascar & surrounding islands
Adult size 4-6 inches
Longevity 3-5 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity.
Housing
A minimum size vivarium for a pair or trio of this arboreal species would be 2ft high x 15” x 15”. Enclosure material will need to withstand high humidity, therefore a glass or fibre glass enclosure with one mesh side is recommended. Wooden vivariums can be used but it is suggested that you seal all joins with aquarium sealant. Good ventilation is essential with high humidity to prevent stagnant air.
Substrates
Kitchen towel or newspaper can be used and is easy to clean out. Coco fibre, potting soil and orchid bark are more naturalistic, plus they will aid towards retaining humidity levels. Change substrate regularly as high humidity and warm temperatures, may produce growths of mould.
Vivarium furnishings
Provide your geckos with an abundance of branches to climb and plants (live( such as pothos or fiscus) or artificial) to hide within. Bark may also aid your gecko in sloughing its skin.
Temperature and heating
These geckos do not tolerate temperatures above 80F, which can be fatal. When obtaining your gecko, think carefully about how you will keep temperatures down in the summer months. Aim to keep temperatures between 70F and 80F, with a slight night time drop. If heating is required to maintain these temperatures during cold spells then please use in conjunction with the appropriate thermostat and guard. If you cannot keep the enclosures temperatures within these temperatures then do not keep this species.
Humidity and water Humidity should be kept between 75 and 90%. Try spraying the enclosure 1 – 3 times daily and monitoring humidity with a hygrometer. Slightly damp substrate will also assist in retaining humidity levels. These geckos will drink when sprayed, from virtually any surface, but they should also be provided with a shallow water bowl.
Feeding
Feed on small insects approximately ¼ inch in size, late at night. Offer only enough to be eaten in one evening ( around 6 – 12 per gecko). Stick mainly to crickets with an occasional treat of waxworms. These geckos may also appreciate a small amount of pureed fruit ( not citrus). Live food should be gut loaded with good quality vegetables such as spring greens or a commercially available gutloading food, to increase nutritional content for your gecko. They should also be dusted with a good quality calcium, vitamin D3 and multivitamin supplement 2 – 3 times weekly ( do not spray the enclosure after adding dusted crickets – this will wash the supplements off).
Lighting
Although there is no current scientific evidence to show whether these nocturnal geckos actually benefit from UVB lighting or not, there is actually ongoing research. It is suggested that you keep updated on this topic in the future in order to ensure you continue to provide your gecko with the most up-to-date care. These geckos are nocturnal and harsh, bright lighting is likely to cause them stress. If you really need lighting then a red light is suggested for night time viewing, please use a guard and ensure the light doesn’t raise the temperature of the enclosure above 80F. With my own specimens, I have found that as soon as a UV lighting source was introduced they changed their favourite sleeping places, in favour of spots closer to the light, whewre they remained partially exposed to it.
Temperament
These fragile geckos are shy and not to be handled frequently. They can bite, but it is unlikely and should cause little damage.
Suitability as a pet These geckos are not suitable pets for beginners to keeping reptiles or children.
Written by Angi Nelson
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these care sheets, we acknowledge that differences of opinion do exist within the reptile world. Therefore we do encourage you do read around this topic further and discuss it with known keepers and breeders.
If you feel that we have made any errors, please feel free to contact any member of the team and we will endeavour to research the subject at hand further.
Suggested further reading -
Uroplatus articles within the geckos section on this website
www.repashy.com/forums
Photographs by Angi Nelson
Uroplatus phantasticus
Uroplatus ebenaui
Uroplatus ebenaui
You will also find my second article on Uroplatus in the next edition of Reptile Care magazine out in 1-2 weeks ( http://www.reptilecareuk.com)Volume 4 issue1