Banded African Fat-Tailed Gecko

The African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a calm, hardy, and beginner-friendly gecko known for its gentle temperament and plump, fat-storing tail. Native to the dry savannas and scrublands of West Africa, African Fat-Tailed Geckos are ground-dwelling and nocturnal. Like their close relative the Leopard Gecko, they have eyelids and... Read More

The African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a calm, hardy, and beginner-friendly gecko known for its gentle temperament and plump, fat-storing tail. Native to the dry savannas and scrublands of West Africa, African Fat-Tailed Geckos are ground-dwelling and nocturnal. Like their close relative the Leopard Gecko, they have eyelids and do not climb glass surfaces. With proper care, African Fat-Tailed Geckos can live long, healthy lives—often 15 to 20 years in captivity.

African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care Guide:

Enclosure Size:
Juveniles: Minimum 20-gallon long tank.
Adults: Minimum 20–30-gallon long tank.
A glass enclosure with a secure screen lid is ideal for proper ventilation.

Substrate:
Paper towels, reptile carpet, slate tile, or a soil and coconut fiber mix are suitable substrates.
Avoid sand to reduce the risk of impaction if ingested.

Hides & Enrichment:
Provide at least three hides: one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and one moist hide to assist with shedding.
Add rocks, cork bark, or décor for environmental enrichment, ensuring no sharp edges.

Humidity:
Humidity: 50–70% (higher than Leopard Geckos).
Keep a moist hide filled with damp sphagnum moss available at all times.
Lightly mist one side of the enclosure a few times a week to maintain humidity.

Lighting & Temperature:
UVB: Not required, but a low-output UVB (2.0 or 5.0) may benefit overall health.
Warm Side: 31–33°C
Cool Side: 24–27°C
Night Drop: No lower than 21°C
Use an under-tank heat mat regulated by a thermostat to provide belly heat, which is essential for digestion.

Diet:
Food: Live insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms.
Feeding Schedule:
Juveniles: Feed daily.
Adults: Feed every 2–3 days.
Avoid feeding wild insects or large prey items.
Supplementation:
Dust insects with calcium without D3 at every feeding, and provide calcium with D3 and multivitamins once a week.

Water & Hydration:
Provide a shallow water dish at all times.
Refresh the water daily and keep the dish clean.

Handling:
African Fat-Tailed Geckos are generally docile and tolerate gentle handling well.
Support the gecko’s entire body and never grab or pull its tail, as they can drop it when stressed.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are hardy, easy to care for, and full of personality. With proper husbandry, they can thrive for 15–20 years in captivity and are a great addition to any reptile lover’s home.