African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care Sheet
Introduction
The African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a charming and hardy species native to the savannas and arid regions of West Africa. Known for its plump tail, gentle demeanour, and wide variety of colours and patterns, this gecko is a popular choice for beginner and experienced reptile keepers alike. Its care needs are relatively simple but require attention to specific environmental and dietary requirements to ensure its health and well-being.
Care sheets are only to be taken as guidelines. Just as with all animals, each reptile will have unique traits and personalities special to the individual animal that may require adaptation in their husbandry and care. The following care sheet will address basic requirements but as the primary caretaker of your pet, we encourage you to take notice of your pet's behaviours and preferences and make adjustments as they grow with you and your family. Please also keep in mind that unlike mammals, most reptiles change their behaviour according to the weather seasons even if you keep them indoors all year round.
We keep leopard and fat tail geckos in stock at our Toronto store and ship across Canada.
Cheat Sheet
African Fat-Tailed Gecko
| Common name | African Fat-Tailed Gecko |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hemitheconyx caudicinctus |
| Natural location | West Africa |
| Habitat (wild) | Savannas and arid regions |
| Captive enclosure | 5-10gal for hatchlings/juveniles, 15-30gal for adults |
| Substrate | Tile, reptile carpet, soil blends with mulch |
| Temperature tolerance | Cooler: 75-80°F (24-27°C), Nighttime: 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Basking temperature | 88-92°F (31-33°C) |
| UVB lighting | Optional. Can be beneficial in very small amounts |
| Humidity | 50-70% |
| Average adult size | 5-7 inches |
| Captive lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Fun fact | They have plump tails as a fat storage reserve |
Housing
Enclosure: Provide a spacious enclosure with adequate ventilation. Hatchlings and young juveniles do best in smaller enclosures between 5-10 gallons. Adults do best in 15-20 gallon but you can go up to 30gal if you wish. When choosing your enclosure, it is extremely important to remember that the size of the tank is not nearly as important as your ability to heat and furnish the tank properly. The enclosure should be horizontally arranged for ample floor space, and proper ventilation is essential to avoid humidity buildup. Ensure the gecko can comfortably move and explore its environment.
Substrate: Choosing the right substrate is critical due to impaction risks, yet no substrate is without risk. Tile and reptile carpet are safest but come with drawbacks: tile is unnatural and hard, while reptile carpet traps odours and is hard to clean. Avoid loose substrates for geckos under 3 months; use paper towels initially, transitioning to more natural substrates once they are past the hatchling phase. This species needs moderate to high humidity, so a soil blend with mulch usually works very well. A humid hide stuffed with damp sphagnum moss is also highly recommended.
Temperature and humidity: Maintain a gradient of temperatures within the enclosure, with a hot spot reaching 88-92°F (31-33°C) and a cooler area around 72-80°F (22-27°C) during the day. At night, temperatures can drop to 65-70°F (18-21°C). Juveniles thrive best at more moderate temperatures while adults can withstand larger fluctuations. This species comes from more humid, forested regions of West Africa and requires more moderate humidity levels between 50-70%. Regular misting and a humid hide with damp sphagnum moss are helpful to aid with shedding and hydration.
Lighting and heating: Fat-Tail Geckos are a nocturnal species and are typically uncomfortable around any bright lights. For this reason, we do not recommend using lighting for this species unless it is an infrared or otherwise dark lighting simply for your own viewing pleasure. UVB lighting is not required but can absolutely provide some benefits when provided in small amounts. Instead of heat lighting, we highly recommend heat pads to provide heat through the ground. Heat pads should cover one side of the terrarium, best positioned underneath the hiding cave where they like to sleep. Infrared radiant heat is also an excellent choice for this species.
Decor: Fat-Tail Geckos will benefit from several hides for comfort and security if you can provide it. One hide can be enough but if you have the space, we recommend at least two hides: one on the warm side and one on the cool side. This allows the gecko to regulate its body temperature by moving between them. When Fat-Tail Geckos are not provided enough humidity during the shedding process, they can lose the tips of their toes and nails. To prevent this, a moist hide is recommended on the cool side of the enclosure. While Fat-Tail Geckos are primarily ground-dwelling, adding low rocks, branches, or plants can help mimic their natural environment. Ensure that all decor is securely placed to prevent injury and avoid sharp or unstable items.
Diet
Feeding: Fat-Tail Geckos are insectivores and should be fed a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, roaches, waxworms, silkworms, hornworms, black soldier fly larvae, and superworms. In recent years, several companies have also come out with excellent meal replacement powders that have all the nutrition as live bugs and most Fat-Tail Geckos can be taught to eat it over time instead of live bugs. This includes Repashy Grub Pie and Pro Bugs Purees. Juvenile Fat-Tails should be fed daily, while adults typically eat every 2-3 days.
Gut loading: Gut-load insects with nutritious foods before feeding them to your gecko to ensure optimal nutritional value.
Supplementation: Lightly dust insects with calcium powder weekly, especially for younger geckos. A weekly dusting of multi vitamin can also be beneficial. Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin D3.
Water: Provide fresh water daily for your gecko in a shallow, easily accessible dish that allows them to drink safely without the risk of getting stuck.
Health & Maintenance
Hygiene: Spot clean your enclosure on a daily basis to remove waste and prevent bacteria build up and general cleanliness. We recommend a full substrate change once per season, 4 times a year. Wood and plant decor can be washed monthly with hot water and put back into place.
Handling: Fat-Tail Geckos are generally docile and tolerate handling well, but they can be shy initially. Approach them gently and avoid sudden movements to prevent stress. Allow them to get accustomed to handling gradually. Limit sessions to a few minutes at a time and support their body fully when handling to ensure they feel secure. We recommend handling them while seated on the ground and always keep an eye on them when they are out of their enclosure. Never grab or pull a gecko by their tails as they will drop their tails if frightened. All Fat-Tail Geckos have the ability to fully regenerate their lost tails, but it will always grow back looking different from the original tail. Wash your hands before and after handling to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Behavioural observation: Fat-Tail Geckos are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. They spend much of their time hiding during the day but may come out to explore their surroundings in low light. Their plump tails serve as fat reserves, so a thin or shrinking tail may indicate illness or poor husbandry. Monitor your gecko's behaviour for signs of illness or stress, such as lethargy, abnormal stool, stuck shed on the toes, sunken eyes, or visible weight loss. Once your gecko reaches adult age, it is common and normal for them to reduce their appetites.
Quarantine: Quarantine any new additions to your reptile collection to prevent the spread of diseases.
Common Questions
What is the difference between a fat-tailed gecko and a leopard gecko?
They look similar and are kept similarly, but fat-tails come from West Africa rather than Asia, and they want noticeably more humidity at 50 to 70%. They are also more nocturnal and less comfortable under bright light.
Why does my fat-tailed gecko's tail look thin?
The tail is a fat reserve, so a thin or shrinking tail is one of the earliest signs of illness or poor husbandry. Worth investigating rather than waiting.
What size enclosure does an African fat-tailed gecko need?
5 to 10 gallons for hatchlings and juveniles, 15 to 20 gallons for adults, up to 30 if you want. Floor space matters more than height. A bigger tank you cannot heat and furnish properly is worse than a smaller one you can.
Do fat-tailed geckos need a heat lamp?
No, and bright light makes them uncomfortable. Heat pads under the hide are the better approach, with infrared radiant heat as an alternative. UVB is optional and only beneficial in small amounts.
Why is my gecko losing the tips of its toes?
Stuck shed from humidity that is too low. A moist hide packed with damp sphagnum moss on the cool side usually prevents it, along with regular misting.
Will a fat-tailed gecko's tail grow back?
Yes, fully, but it never looks the same as the original. Never pick one up by the tail, since they drop them when frightened.
All Reptiles, all the time.
Leopard and fat tail geckos in stock now
We carry the enclosures, substrate, heat mats, humid hides and feeders covered in this guide at 1911 Kennedy Rd. Unit 99 in Toronto. Staff can walk you through a full setup in person.
