Sneak preview of A Guide to Australian Geckos and Pygopods in Captivity

A Guide to…

Australian

GECKOS & PYGOPODS

in Captivity

By Dr Danny Brown BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)

SNEAK PREVIEW

CONTENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....................................................................................................................................16 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................19 GENERAL MANAGEMENT PET SUITABILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20 CHOOSING YOUR STOCK ..............................................................................................................................................................20 Selecting an Individual Gecko ..................................................................................................................................................21 HANDLING AND HYGIENE............................................................................................................................................................22 Geckos ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Pygopods .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................................................................................................25 Short Journeys.....................................................................................................................................................................................................25 Long Journeys ......................................................................................................................................................................................................27 Timber Boxes..........................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Plastic Containers ...........................................................................................................................................................................................28 PURCHASE AND FREIGHT ETIQUETTE ..................................................................................................................29 Buyers ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29 Sellers .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................................30 GENERAL SAFETY........................................................................................................................................................................................32 SECURITY....................................................................................................................................................................................................................32 QUARANTINE ......................................................................................................................................................................................................33

HOUSING INDOOR ENCLOSURES ..................................................................................................................................................34

Rack Systems ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tubs .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Tanks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35 Timber Enclosures .........................................................................................................................................................................................35 Glass, Perspex or Plastic Moulded Commercial Terrariums ......................................................35 Mesh Terrariums ...............................................................................................................................................................................................37

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ........................................................................................................................................37

Pits ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 Aviaries ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................38 ENCLOSURE SIZE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................39 Minimum Enclosure Sizes .................................................................................................................................................................39 page 3

COMPATIBILITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................40 VENTILATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................40 SUBSTRATE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Sand ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................41 Soil ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Gravel..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Scoria...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Leaf Litter .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................42 Potting Mix ................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Sphagnum Moss ...............................................................................................................................................................................................43 Peat.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 Bark and Wood Chip...................................................................................................................................................................................43 Wood Shavings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Corn Cob Litter ....................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Walnut Shell Litter .........................................................................................................................................................................................44 Alfalfa/Lucerne Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Timber Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................44 Compressed Newspaper Pellets.............................................................................................................................................44 Zeolite and Clumping Cat Litter .............................................................................................................................................44 Paper....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Artificial Grass ......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Indoor/Outdoor Carpet ........................................................................................................................................................................45

HIDE SITES.......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Vertical Hide Sites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................45 Horizontal Hide Sites ................................................................................................................................................................................46

ENCLOSURE ENRICHMENT ...................................................................................................................................47 Surface Litter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................47 Branches and Hollows.............................................................................................................................................................................47 Artificial Plants ....................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Dried Plants ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................48 Live Plants ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................49

HEATING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT CORD OR TAPE ..............................................................................................................................................................................50 HEAT MATS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................51 HEAT ROCKS ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................52 CERAMIC HEATERS....................................................................................................................................................................................52 GLOBES...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................52 Standard Incandescent Globes................................................................................................................................................52 Reflector Globes ...............................................................................................................................................................................................53 Reptile Lamps .......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Halogen Bulbs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................53 Infrared Globes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Mercury Vapour Lamps (MVLs) ..............................................................................................................................................54 page 4

LIGHTING............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 THE SCIENCE OF LIGHTING .......................................................................................................................................................55 Visible Light..............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Infrared ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet A (UV-A) .....................................................................................................................................................................................55 Ultraviolet B (UV-B) ......................................................................................................................................................................................56 Ultraviolet C (UV-C)......................................................................................................................................................................................58 LIGHTING OPTIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................58 UV-B Emitting Fluorescent Tubes.........................................................................................................................................59 Black Lights...............................................................................................................................................................................................................60 Compact UV-B Emitting Lamps ...............................................................................................................................................60 Mercury Vapour Lamps .........................................................................................................................................................................61

THERMOSTATS ...................................................................................................................................................................................61

Probe Thermostats .......................................................................................................................................................................................62 On/Off Thermostats ....................................................................................................................................................................................62 Dimming Thermostats............................................................................................................................................................................62 Pulse Proportional Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................62

HUMIDITY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................63

FEEDING METHODS AND NUTRITION INVERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS......................................................................................................................65

Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................65 Cockroaches ............................................................................................................................................................................................................65 Mealworms—Tenebrio molitor .........................................................................................................................................................66 King Mealworms or Superworms—Zophobas morio .................................................................................66 Maggots/Flies/Pupae—Musca vetutissima ..................................................................................................................67 Slaters.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Silkworms—Bombyx mori and other caterpillars ............................................................................................67 Termites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Earthworms—Lumbricus terrestrius ...........................................................................................................................................68 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................68 Spiders ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................68 Fruit Flies—Drosophila species .....................................................................................................................................................69 Snails—Helix aspersa and other species .........................................................................................................................69 Waxworms—Galleria mellonella ....................................................................................................................................................69 Wild Fodder ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................69 Nutritional Data Averages for Invertebrate Diets.....................................................................................70

VERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ................................................................................................................................71

Rats and Mice ........................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Fish ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Reptiles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................71 Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets ...........................................................................................72 page 5

ARTIFICIAL DIETS.......................................................................................................................................................................73 CULTURING INSECT FOOD ITEMS ..................................................................................................73

Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................73 Speckled Feeder Roaches—Nauphoeta cinerea ..................................................................................................76 Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................77 Bush Flies—Musca vetutissima .........................................................................................................................................................77 Slaters.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80 Lesser Waxworms (Indian Meal Moths)—Plodia interpunctella ..................................................80 Fruit Fly/Vinegar Fly/Ferment Fly—Drosphila species ..........................................................................80

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS .........................................................................................................................................81 CALCIUM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Gut Loading .............................................................................................................................................................................................................82 Dusting.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................82 PROTEIN........................................................................................................................................................................................................................83

FEEDING FACILITIES ...........................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING PROBLEMS .........................................................................................................................................................85 TREATMENT ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Assist Feeding .....................................................................................................................................................................................................86 Force Feeding........................................................................................................................................................................................................87 Tube Feeding .........................................................................................................................................................................................................87

BREEDING VISUAL SEXING..................................................................................................................................................................................88

Colour.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Size ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88 Femoral and Preanal Pores .............................................................................................................................................................89 Hemipenal Bulges..........................................................................................................................................................................................89 Paracloacal Spur Structures ..........................................................................................................................................................90 OTHER SEXING TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Popping....................................................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Transillumination .....................................................................................................................................................91 Hemipenal Observation ......................................................................................................................................................................93

BREEDING AGE.....................................................................................................................................................................................93 COURTSHIP ...................................................................................................................................................................................................93 MATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................93 STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE BREEDING SUCCESS ..........................................94 COOLING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................94 SEPARATION .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 page 6

REPRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................................................................96 REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES.................................................................................................................................................96 EGG TYPE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................96 CLUTCH SIZE .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96 BREEDING FREQUENCY ...................................................................................................................................................................97 GRAVIDITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................97 CARING FOR BREEDING FEMALE GECKOS AND PYGOPODS ......................................97

NEST FACILITIES ...............................................................................................................................................................................98 ARBOREAL SPECIES.................................................................................................................................................................................99 TERRESTRIAL SPECIES........................................................................................................................................................................99

EGG LAYING .............................................................................................................................................................................................101 EGG MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................101 Collecting and Handling .................................................................................................................................................................101 Determining Egg Viability ............................................................................................................................................................102

ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION.......................................................................................................................................105 INCUBATION FACILITIES .............................................................................................................................................................105 CONTAINERS.....................................................................................................................................................................................................106 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................107 TEMPERATURE CONTROL .........................................................................................................................................................107 INCUBATION MEDIUM ....................................................................................................................................................................108 Vermiculite.............................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Perlite..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Sphagnum Moss ...........................................................................................................................................................................................108 True Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Coir Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109 Sand ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................109 No Substrate .......................................................................................................................................................................................................109 INCUBATION REGIMES ...................................................................................................................................................................110 TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT SEX DETERMINATION.................................................................110

NATURAL INCUBATION..............................................................................................................................................112 HATCHLING CARE .....................................................................................................................................................................113 FEEDING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 Feeding Frequency ..................................................................................................................................................................................113 Supplementation ........................................................................................................................................................................................113 LIGHTING ................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 HOUSING.................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................114 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................114 page 7

COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS DISCLAIMER............................................................................................................................................................................................115 NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS ...............................................................................................................................115 OBESITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................115 METABOLIC BONE DISEASE (CALCIUM/VITAMIN D3 DEFICIENCY) ...............116 Early Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ..........................................................................................................................116 Late Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ............................................................................................................................117 Delayed Metabolic Bone Disease.....................................................................................................................................117 Floppy Tail Syndrome ..........................................................................................................................................................................118 Reproductive Metabolic Bone Disease...................................................................................................................118 GUT IMPACTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................118

PARASITIC DISORDERS ..............................................................................................................................................120 INTERNAL PARASITES .....................................................................................................................................................................120 EXTERNAL PARASITES....................................................................................................................................................................121

SKIN DISORDERS ........................................................................................................................................................................122 DYSECDYSIS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................122 SCALE ROT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................123

NAIL, TOE AND LIMB DISORDERS...................................................................................................124 EYE DISORDERS.............................................................................................................................................................................124 EYE TRAUMA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................124 PHOTO-KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS ............................................................................................................................124 PRIMARY BACTERIAL EYE INFECTIONS ..........................................................................................................125

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS................................................................................................................................125 BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA ...........................................................................................................................................................125 VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ...............................................................................................................................................................125 HUMIDITY RELATED PROBLEMS..................................................................................................................................125 PARASITIC PNEUMONIA ............................................................................................................................................................126

TRAUMA............................................................................................................................................................................................................126 BITE INJURIES .................................................................................................................................................................................................126 THERMAL BURNS .....................................................................................................................................................................................127

REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS.......................................................................................................................127 PRE-OVULATORY AND POST-OVULATORY STASIS (EGG BINDING OR DYSTOCIA) ..........................................................................................................................................127 UTERINE INFECTION ..........................................................................................................................................................................129 HEMIPENAL INJURIES AND INFECTION..........................................................................................................129 CONGENITAL DEFECTS ..................................................................................................................................................................130 page 8

NASAL AND ORAL DISORDERS .............................................................................................................132 NASAL ABRASIONS—NOSE RUBS ............................................................................................................................132 JAW DISEASE/PERIODONTITIS/STOMATITIS.........................................................................................133

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS ...................................................................................133 SUBCUTANEOUS OR INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS ............................................................133 Liquid Oral Medication......................................................................................................................................................................134 Oral Tablet Medication.......................................................................................................................................................................136

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR REPTILE VETERINARIAN.........136

SPECIES BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................139

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................139

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................139

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................143

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................143

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................145 STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................145

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................145 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................146 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................147 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................147 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................148

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................148 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................148 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................149 BREEDING RECORDS FOR BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................149 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................150 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................150 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................150

DTELLAS AND HOUSE GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................151

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................152

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................152 page 9

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................156 DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................156

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................158

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................158

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................158 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................158 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................159 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................159 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................160

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................160 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................160 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................163 BREEDING RECORDS FOR DTELLA AND HOUSE GECKO SPECIES ..................163 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................164 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................164 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................164

GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKOS

PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................165

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................165

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................165

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................169

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................169

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................171

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................171

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................171

INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................171 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................173 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................173 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................173

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................173 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................174

INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................175 BREEDING RECORDS FOR GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKO SPECIES...............................................................................................................................................175 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................176 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................176 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................176 page 10

KNOB-TAILED GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................178

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................178

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................178

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................185

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................185

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................187

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................187

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................187 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................188 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................190 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................190 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................191

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................191 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................192 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................193 BREEDING RECORDS FOR KNOB-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..........................................194 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................195 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................198 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................198

LEAF-TAILED GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................199

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................204

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................204

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................208

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................208

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................210

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................210

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................212 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................212 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................213 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................213 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................213

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................214 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................215 page 11

INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................216 BREEDING RECORDS FOR LEAF-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..............................................217 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................217 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................217 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................217

SMALL ARBOREAL GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................218

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................224

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................224

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................232

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................232

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................233

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................233

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................234 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................234 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................235 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................235 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................235

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................235 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................236 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................237 BREEDING RECORDS FOR SMALL ARBOREAL GECKO SPECIES ...........................238 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................239 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................239 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................239

RING-TAILED GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................240

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................240

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................240

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................245

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................245

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................246

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................246

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................246 page 12

INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................247 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................248 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................248 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................248

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................248 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................249 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................251 BREEDING RECORDS FOR RING-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..............................................252 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................252 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................252 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................252

SMALL TERRESTRIAL GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................253

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................260

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................260

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................264

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................264

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................266

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................266

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................267 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................267 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................267 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................268 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................268

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................268 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................269 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................270 BREEDING RECORDS FOR SMALL TERRESTRIAL GECKO SPECIES .................271 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................272 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................272 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................272

THICK-TAILED GECKOS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................273

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................275

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................275 page 13

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................279

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................279

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................281

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................281

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................283 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................283 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................284 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................284 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................285

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................285 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................285 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................287 BREEDING RECORDS FOR THICK-TAILED GECKO SPECIES...........................................288 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................289 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................289 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................289

VELVET GECKOS

PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................290

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................300

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................300

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................304

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................304

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................305

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................305

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................305 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................305 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................306 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................306 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................306

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................307 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................307 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................308 BREEDING RECORDS FOR VELVET GECKO SPECIES ..................................................................309 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................309 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................311 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................311 page 14

PYGOPODS—FLAP FOOTED LIZARDS PRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................313

DESCRIPTION..............................................................................................................................................................................320

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................320

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................325

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................325

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................326

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................326

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................328 INDOOR ENCLOSURES....................................................................................................................................................................328 Summary...................................................................................................................................................................................................................329 OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................329 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................331

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................331 BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................334 INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT..............................................................................336 BREEDING RECORDS FOR PYGOPOD SPECIES ..................................................................................336 HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................337 LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................337 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................337

AUSTRALIAN HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETIES AND USEFUL WEBSITES HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETIES ..........................................................................................................................................338 OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES.......................................................................................................................................................338

BIBLIOGRAPHY PRINTED LITERATURE......................................................................................................................................................................339 ONLINE RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................................................................................341

GLOSSARY .....................................................................................................................................................................................342

page 15

HOUSING The diversity of gecko and pygopod species available for captive care may be accommodated simply in just a few basic types of enclosures. Consideration must be given to each genus and species as well as an individual’s requirements for heating, lighting, security, substrate, ventilation, humidity and furnishings. However, this does not mean that housing geckos or pygopods needs to be complicated or expensive.

The predominant means of housing geckos and pygopods is in indoor enclosures. Consider the specimen’s basic requirements as well as your own preferences in design when investigating enclosures.

Following are the various types of indoor enclosures available.

S RANSOM

INDOOR ENCLOSURES

Rack Systems

Tubs Essentially the same as rack systems, tubs are generally positioned in a more open manner, allowing heating and lighting to be provided from above. They are inexpensive and available in a range of sizes.

Tubs are suitable for many terrestrial species of geckos and most pygopods.

The main disadvantages of tubs are the limitations on furnishings, their aesthetic appearance and their poor security—it is difficult to supply appropriate heating and lighting with a lid on the container.

Access can be improved by placing the tub on shelves that can be attached to drawer sliders allowing the whole tub to be moved out from beneath heating and lighting fixtures.

Recycling tubs are positioned on sliding shelves for easy access

page 34

D BROWN

Rack systems comprise plastic tubs enclosed within a shelving system and are commonly used for housing terrestrial geckos. They are compact, secure and inexpensive.

The major disadvantages of rack systems are they are not as aesthetically appealing as other types of enclosures and are difficult to light appropriately.

Heating is usually limited to subfloor heating. This dramatically limits their suitability for terrestrial species that are unable to climb, particularly burrowing species. They are generally unsuitable for pygopods or arboreal geckos as they often have Rack system suitable for knob-tailed and thicksmall gaps and crevices. tailed geckos

D BROWN

D BROWN

Bark slabs

Plant pots make ideal vertical hide sites

D BROWN

Nest boxes may be more effective as hides when filled with substrate or loosely filled with dry or moist sphagnum moss, pieces of paper bark, folded paper towel or small pieces of bark. The substrate should provide an open space of 1.5−2 SVL long x 0.5 SVL wide.

In small enclosures, arboreal species will use hides wherever they are located. In larger enclosures that measure more than 5 SVL high, elevated hides are preferred.

Geckos and pygopods will tuck themselves against an edge in a corner when resting in boxes.

This can be an effective way of localising resting areas into one space, allowing for the remainder of the enclosure to be more effectively furnished.

D BROWN

Terracotta saucers and bamboo splits make ideal hides for small species

Horizontal Hide Sites Species that prefer horizontal hide sites can be provided with boxes, intact hollow logs, hollow logs split in half lengthways, inverted terracotta or plastic pot plant saucers, bamboo pieces split lengthwise, terracotta tiles, tile or timber stacks or commercial hide sites usually shaped as artificial rocks.

Horizontal hides can be used in one of two ways.

Most burrowing and digging species will use a hide as a starting point for their burrows, which may start as a shallow depression. Other ground dwelling species will use hides as pre-existing cavities—the artificial equivalent of soil cracks, gaps under logs and spaces between rocks.

When determining the placement of hides, consider the relevant safety issues. Plastic hides are at risk of outgassing—which is the production of fumes from heated plastic—and must never be placed directly under a heat source. Timber hides should also be placed carefully to ensure they do not pose a fire risk if exposed to excessive heat.

Commercial hide structures

page 46

A ELLIOTT

Lialis burtonis feeding on a Pogona vitticeps hatchling

L. burtonis—as an obligate lizard feeder, this species has adapted to cope with high levels of parasite ingestion. The occasional injured captive bred hatchling can be offered to species such as Nephrurus geckos, rather than waste them.

The nutritional content of each food item varies, as outlined in the table below.

Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets PROTEIN (%/Dry Matter)

PROTEIN (g/100g)

FAT (%/Dry Matter)

FAT (g/100g)

CALCIUM TO PHOSPHORUS RATIO Ca:P

Mouse (pinkie)

64.2

12.3

15.2

3.2

1:1.13

Mouse (fuzzie)

41.80

−

46.7

−

1.1:1

Rat (pinkie)

57.9

12.0

23.7

4.9

−

65−68

−

8−10

−

2:1

FOOD TYPE

Lizard (skink or gecko)

The values in this chart may be confusing without knowledge of how they were obtained.

Therefore, it is recommended they be critically evaluated on a comparative basis rather than on actual values. Available values vary greatly depending on the diet of the insect, the bias of the researcher and the research method employed. Research carried out by live food companies will sometimes be biased towards their own products. page 72

EGG LAYING

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watched, she may not nest. What is important is the female’s perception that the site is in some way protected.

Appropriate environmental conditions Most geckos and pygopods require a stable and elevated temperature in order to achieve optimum embryonic development of their eggs. Therefore, many select nesting sites that receive direct, radiant or reflected heat from sunlight. It is important to place the moistened nesting substrate near some form of structure in an area that receives some direct radiant heat. This is more important with pygopods than geckos.

Despite your best efforts, some females will consistently reject available nest sites, which may lead to reproductive disease.

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Female geckos and pygopods commence egg laying after digging a hole in the nesting substrate, generally close to the bottom of the enclosure or container. She will then turn around, reverse into the hole, lay her eggs and then backfill the hole with soil. Many females leave a depression in the top of the substrate, betraying the location of the eggs.

Prior to egg laying, many species will perform test digs for several days. Female pygopods will A Saltuarius salebrosus laying use their heads to force their bodies deep into the nesting substrate, flexing sideways to widen the hole. If large chunks of material impede the passage of their heads, the females may grip the items with their mouth and pull them out. They will then create a small cavity at the end of the hole into which the eggs are laid. After laying, they will then reverse out of the hole and push the soil back in place with their head.

Some species of geckos lay communally with dozens of eggs found in a single area. Whether this is due to a lack of suitable laying sites or a ‘safety in numbers’ strategy is not clear.

Indentation in the nesting substrate is a sure sign

Collecting and Handling Reptile eggs differ from bird eggs in a number of ways. Bird eggs require regular rotation to disperse nutrients to the embryo and to ensure correct development, whereas reptile eggs do not require rotation. The embryo in bird eggs develops centrally, suspended in a membranous sac.

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EGG MANAGEMENT

of test digs or nesting

Eggs are usually laid on or near the bottom of the container—Oedura marmorata

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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERS DISCLAIMER D BROWN

Although lizards are generally quite hardy by nature, they will occasionally become unwell or develop lesions—despite a keeper’s best intentions. This chapter will explore the common disorders that affect lizards, the associated clinical signs and treatment options.

Most health issues require a degree of veterinary assistance, as many medications are available by prescription only. Therefore, a full physical examination of your lizard by a veterinarian is often required before medication can be prescribed.

This is a legal requirement designed to establish proper drug use and slow the development of drug resistance caused by the inappropriate use of medication. Veterinarians who fail to meet these legal requirements may be fined and lose their practicing licence. Please do not ask your veterinarian to supply drugs without a prescription.

The numerous medications discussed in this chapter are not for your own home treatment— my aim is to assist you if you ever seek advice from a non-reptile veterinarian who is unsure of the available treatment options. Many of the medications recommended here are rarely marketed Basic anatomy of a gecko, Nephrurus amyae for use with reptiles—they are often not registered as reptile medications and their recommended dosages have been developed using anecdotal evidence—not through official clinical trials conducted by drug companies. The medications recommended in this chapter are believed to be safe based on current evidence in veterinary literature.

The following advice is not intended to be a substitute to veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Any recommendation in this text is to be used at your own risk.

NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS OBESITY Like in any species of animal, lack of activity coupled with excess nutrition can lead to obesity in lizards. In most cases, obese geckos and pygopods are quite obviously rotund, usually around the abdomen and tail base. Other specimens may store fat internally in large abdominal fat pads that may not seem obvious from the outside or may mimic gravidity. The major organ influenced by obesity is the liver. Fatty liver is usually a chronic disease and, on post mortem, the livers of these specimens are often bright yellow in colour and ooze fat when incised. Fatty livers and massive fat page 115

G SCHMIDA

Pseudothecadactylus lindneri

GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKOS The giant cave and giant tree gecko group comprises three species as follows— Giant Cave Gecko Pseudothecadactylus lindneri Western Giant Cave Gecko Pseudothecadactylus cavaticus Giant Tree Gecko Pseudothecadactylus australis

PRONUNCIATION

DESCRIPTION ADULTS

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Following are the accepted pronunciations of the giant cave and giant tree gecko species.

Pseudothecadactylus lindneri Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us lynd-nerr-ee Pseudothecadactylus cavaticus Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us kav-at-ick-us Pseudothecadactylus australis Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us os-trah-liss

The giant cave and giant tree group are among the largest geckos in Australia with heavily set features, broad heads and long and slender prehensile tails.

The underside of their tail tip has adhesive lamellae similar to that on the underside of their toes—giving them the ability to jump significant distances and land gracefully on uneven surfaces.

Members of the Pseudothecadactylus genus have adhesive lamellae on the tip of their tails

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D WONG

Leucistic Nephrurus levis occidentalis

Patternless ‘Jellybean’ Nephrurus levis pair

Hypomelanistic Nephrurus levis

The Central Rough Knob-tailed Gecko N. amyae displays considerable variation in colour on a daily basis, becoming pale at times. A limited number of true hypomelanistic Central Rough Knob-tailed Gecko N. amyae exist—they are cream in overall colour.

Rough Knob-tailed Geckos N. asper display considerable variation in colour in the wild—these colour forms also exist in captivity. The most common is the plain grey-brown form. Also present in small numbers are red forms from the Mount Isa and Dajarra regions of Queensland, and heavily striped forms from the north Queensland tablelands and Cape York.

N. w. cinctus has been bred overseas for many years and is available in a variety of designer colour morphs including a loss of bands (Patternless), longitudinal bands (Striped) and zigzag banding (‘flame’ wheeleri). page 196

S MACDONALD

Phyllurus platurus

DESCRIPTION ADULTS

D BROWN

D BROWN

The leaf-tailed gecko group are among the largest geckos in Australia with spectacular, ornate and distinctive leaf or heart-shaped tails from which these species get their name. However, many specimens have pale grey-green regenerated tails that lack the ornate surface features or fringing of the original tail.

The two primary genera can be distinguished by the shape of their original tail. Saltuarius tails are broad and flat with elaborate fringing and Phyllurus tails are cylindrical or flat with a simple flared edge. Their rostral scale arrangements also vary—Saltuarius have the rostral scale contacting the nostrils, whereas in Phyllurus the rostral scale is separated from the nostril by additional scales.

Saltuarius cornutus nose tip with rostral scales contacting the nostrils

Phyllurus platurus nose tip with rostral scales not contacting the nostrils

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