Description:
Scientific name: Pachydactylus fasciatus
Life span: 10-15 years
Pachydactylus fasciatus is a species of lizard in the Gekkonidae family. It is also known as the striped thick-toed gecko, thick-toed banded gecko, banded thick-toed gecko, or Damaraland banded gecko. They have a flattened body and are a medium-sized gecko. The head and body are shorter than the slender tail. On sandy soils, they typically reside in tiny tunnels beneath stones. A brown stripe surrounds the head, and the back is light-brown to yellowish-brown with three regular crossbands on the body.
Native Region/Habitat
It only exists in northwest Namibia.
Behavior:
Male Thick-Toed Banded Gecko aggression towards other males in the same enclosure is fiercely territorial. Although a Thick-Toed Banded Gecko can live with several females, it is never advisable to keep males in the same enclosure.
The thick-toed banded geckos spend their days hiding and sleeping in rock crevices and under loose stones because they are a nocturnal species. Several objects, such as cork bark, slate, or upside-down plant saucers, can be used in captivity to create comparable hiding areas; commercially made reptile hides also function well.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
Enclosure: As many as two thick-toed banded gecko adults can live in a 10-gallon aquarium. More people can live in larger enclosures. A male can live with several females, but because males are territorial, they shouldn’t be kept in the same cage.
As a substrate, sand works well, especially Repti-Sand. Impaction is not a problem as long as the animals are kept in good health and at the appropriate temperatures. Once every week, sand needs to be spot cleaned.
Temperature and Humidity: For this species, a temperature range of 75 to 85 F should be maintained. Moreover, a 95-degree hot area should be available during the day and can be maintained with a heat pad or heat lamp. No extra illumination is needed for this species. Keep thick-toed banded geckos at an ambient humidity level between 40 and 50%. A thermometer/hygrometer may measure both humidity and temperature.
Food: The best food for crickets is a regular supply, with occasional treats like dubia roaches, waxworms, and small mealworms. Only provide insects that are no longer than the distance between the gecko’s eyes as a general rule for size. In general, subadults and adults of thick-toed banded geckos should be fed 1/8-inch insects, whereas hatchlings should be given 1/4-inch insects.
It is advisable to sprinkle a vitamin/mineral supplement on the feeder insects. Few bugs will escape and hide within the cage thanks to an escape-proof feeding bowl.
Table
