Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) Care
Here we will highlight the basic care requirements of the leachianus gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus). This incredible species is easy to keep, highly variable in coloration and make great pet lizards. Here is a breakdown of their basic care needs:
Cage Size:
We start our hatchlings in 6qt tupperware containers. These containers hold humidity well, can be stacked and cleaned easily. Six to eight small holes drilled into the sides of the container will allow ventilation.
For adults, we use a combination of Zoomed 18" Wide x 18" Long x 24" tall terrariums and 90 quart tupperware bins (18"W x 29"L x 13"T) that fit an Animal Plastics custom rack system. Both style enclosures can be used for single adults, pairs or trios.
Furnishings:
Cut branches of non-toxic hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory can be used as cross branching in your enclosures.
Bendable vines are another option that can also be used as climbing areas for your geckos.
Cork tubes are a great addition to your cage that will provide hide spots and sleeping areas for your geckos.
Fake plants can also be utilized for babies and adults to provide hiding areas.
Cardboard egg cartons are a cheap and easy option to use for your babies as hides. These can be disposed of after they become soiled.
Substrate:
Paper towels are a cheap and effective substrate for babies that can be used for in 6qt tupperware style setups. While not the most aesthetically pleasing, they do provide for easy cleaning.
Soil mixes can make for a good substrate for adult geckos. This naturalistic substrate can be spot cleaned as needed. Isopods can be added to your enclosure as a bioactive option if you do not plan on breeding in the enclosure. Caution should be exercised if you plan on breeding, as isopods can damage/eat eggs.
Temperature and Lighting:
Daytime ambient temperatures can be between 70-75°F
Basking/warm spot of 82°F
Night time temps can drop to in the low 70's during warmer months and drop to the mid 60's during winter months.
We use LED lighting to provide a 12/12 hour photoperiod for our geckos. While a low percentage UV (Zoomed 5.0) can be provided to your geckos, it is not a necessity for your gecko to thrive and reproduce.
For a basking bulb, we use a 25 watt halogen bulb dimmed down with a household dimmer switch to reach a desired basking temperature.
Heat tape on a thermostat can be used for rack style setups. Tape temperatures can be set to 80-82°F in 1/3rd of the bottom of the cage, with a cooler gradient for the gecko to thermoregulate.
Hydration and Humidity:
Fresh water can be provided in a small shallow dish and will be utilized by your gecko. We recommend fresh water to be available at all times.
Humidity should fluctuate between 55-85 percent. A heavy misting once a night will provide an additional opportunity for your gecko to drink and will boost humidity levels.
Feeding
We feed our geckos different varieties of complete meal replacement formula, such as Pangea Gecko Diet or Repashy Superfoods. We rotate between different flavors.
These are the basic requirements for making your gecko thrive in captivity. Following the above care requirements will set you up for a long enjoyable journey with these incredible geckos!
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