Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos for Sale
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-31
$500.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Female SC2025-18
$450.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-17
$385.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-15
$385.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-13
$500.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-12
$500.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-10
$450.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - unsexed SC2025-4
$450.00
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko (Strophurus ciliaris) - Male SC2025-3
$400.00
Strophurus ciliaris
The Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko is one of Australia's most distinctive gecko species, featuring prominent spines along their tail and head that give them a miniature dragon like appearance. Endemic to northern Australia's arid and semi-arid regions, these small geckos reach 4 to 5 inches in length and stand out from typical gecko species in one critical way, they're diurnal baskers. While most geckos are nocturnal and avoid bright light, Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos are active during the day, basking on exposed branches in full sun to regulate their body temperature. This behavior makes them exceptional display animals that you'll actually see moving around their enclosure during daylight hours, a rare trait among geckos that typically only emerge at night.
We produce captive bred Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos right here in our facility. Every animal hatches in optimal conditions, feeds readily on small insects, and arrives to you healthy and established. You get our health guarantee, detailed setup guidelines for proper basking and UVB requirements, and direct access to our team for ongoing support.
Northern Spiny-Tailed Gecko Overview
Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos require different setup compared to typical nocturnal geckos. They need a basking spot with focused heat and UVB lighting positioned above horizontal branches where they'll spend much of their day. Adults do well in 20 gallon long enclosures or 18x18x18 terrariums with both vertical and horizontal space. Their arid habitat requirements mean you're maintaining dry conditions with minimal misting, making them less demanding than tropical species. The spines along their tail and head serve as defense, making them appear larger and more intimidating to potential predators, though they're generally calm once acclimated to handling.
For detailed husbandry including basking setup, UVB placement, substrate selection, feeding schedules, and breeding information, view our complete care guide.
About Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos
Yes, Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos are diurnal, meaning they're active during daylight hours rather than at night. This is highly unusual for geckos, most of which are strictly nocturnal. You'll see them basking on branches under their UVB light throughout the day, hunting for insects, and exploring their enclosure. This diurnal behavior makes them much more enjoyable to observe compared to nocturnal species that only emerge after dark.
Yes, UVB lighting is required for Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos. Because they're diurnal baskers, they naturally receive significant sun exposure in the wild and have evolved to depend on UVB for calcium metabolism and overall health. We recommend a 5.0 or 10.0 UVB bulb positioned 8 to 12 inches above horizontal basking branches. This is different from most gecko species that are nocturnal and don't require UVB, so it's an important consideration before getting this species.
Adult Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos reach 4 to 5 inches total length, making them one of the smaller gecko species. Their compact size means they don't require massive enclosures, though they still need proper basking areas and climbing opportunities. They reach adult size around 12 to 18 months with consistent feeding and proper UVB exposure.
The spines along their tail and head serve as a defensive adaptation, making them appear larger and more threatening to potential predators. When threatened, they can raise these spines and arch their back to enhance this effect. The spines aren't used offensively and aren't particularly sharp, they're simply a visual deterrent. Despite this spiny armor, most individuals become quite calm with regular gentle handling once they're established in their enclosure.
These geckos are best suited for intermediate keepers due to their specific basking and UVB requirements. While they're hardy animals once proper conditions are established, setting up appropriate heat gradients and UVB placement requires more attention than room temperature species. If you have experience with other reptiles that require basking setups, like bearded dragons or blue tongue skinks, you'll find Northern Spiny-Tailed Geckos straightforward to maintain.
These geckos are strictly insectivorous, feeding on small crickets, fruit flies, small dubia roaches, and other appropriately sized insects. Due to their small size, prey items need to be quite small, especially for juveniles. We feed juveniles daily and adults every other day. All insects should be gut loaded 24 hours before feeding and dusted with calcium powder at each feeding to support their calcium needs alongside UVB exposure.