Geckos

Metabolic bone disease

SignsSoft jaw, bent limbs or spine, unable to climb walls, tremors, seizures

PreventionDust every feeding with calcium powder. Feed crested geckos a complete powdered diet as the staple. Weak UVB lighting

Retained shed (dysecdysis)

SignsRings of old skin left on toes or tail tip; toes turn black and thin; cannot stick to walls

PreventionKeep humidity at 60–80% and mist daily. Provide a permanent moist hide

Floppy tail syndrome

SignsWhen resting head-down on glass the tail flops over the back. Pelvis becomes deformed

PreventionAdd plenty of thick driftwood and branches so the gecko does not cling only to glass

Mouth rot (stomatitis)

SignsYellow-white cheesy material around the mouth, mouth will not close, drooling, poor appetite

PreventionTriggered by low temperature, low humidity and poor hygiene. Maintain proper temperature and clean the cage regularly. Watch for bites from live prey

Egg binding

SignsFemale's belly swells but she does not lay; keeps digging the floor; lethargic and not eating

PreventionProvide a permanent laying box filled with moist soil. Give enough calcium

Dehydration / heatstroke

SignsSunken eyes, wrinkled skin, mouth open and motionless, dull dark body color

PreventionCrested geckos are at risk above 28°C. Use air conditioning in summer and mist nightly so they can drink droplets

Tail autotomy (dropped tail)

PreventionNever grab the tail. Do not chase. Do not startle; scoop up with your palm

First aidThe stump usually does not bleed. Switch to clean bedding and rest alone. If it turns red and swollen, see the vet within a few days

Bruising from a fall

PreventionHandle at a low position close to the floor. Do not let it run on your hands

First aidMove to a low container and keep warm. If it drags a leg, bleeds from the mouth or does not move, see the vet the same day

Bites from live prey

PreventionAdd only as many crickets as will be eaten. Place vegetables in the cage to distract the prey

First aidRemove all leftover crickets. Watch the wound; if swelling or pus appears, see the vet within a few days

Toe necrosis

PreventionCheck the toes after every shed. Do not let humidity drop

First aidDo not touch blackened or lost toes; keep clean and see the vet within a few days. If it can no longer climb walls, the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteHand to mouth after touching droppings, skin or cage water

PreventionAlways wash hands with soap after handling. Do not wash the cage in the kitchen. Young children and the elderly should avoid contact

Bacterial infection from bites

RouteBite wounds from large species such as tokays

PreventionWash with running water and soap, then disinfect. If swelling, heat or pus develops, see a doctor

Skin fungal infection

RouteTouching affected skin or bedding with bare hands

PreventionHandle animals with white skin patches with gloves and do not share equipment

Ingestion of parasite eggs

RouteHand to mouth from droppings-contaminated hands or tools

PreventionRemove droppings daily. Wash hands after cleaning. Annual fecal exam

Food

• Japanese geckos and tokays: live crickets, mealworms etc. 2–3 times a week
• Crested and gargoyle geckos: a complete powdered diet every 2–3 days as the staple
• Dust every feeding with calcium powder; once a week use one with vitamin D3

Water

• Most do not drink from a bowl. Mist morning and evening so they drink droplets from leaves and walls
• Also provide a shallow water dish and change it daily. Keep the water area clean

Toys & play

• Lean cork bark or driftwood to create vertical climbing routes
• Add hiding spots with artificial or live plants
• Place food in several spots to encourage searching

Nest, bed & hideout

• Arboreal hides attached to the wall and cork tubes
• One permanent wet hide with moist sphagnum moss

Bedding & litter

• Coconut fiber soil or paper towels. Avoid fine sand, which is often swallowed
• Moisten coconut fiber to hold humidity. Replace if it molds
• Remove droppings as soon as seen. Replace all bedding monthly

Cage / housing material

Tall front-opening glass terrarium. Ventilated, with the lid firmly secured

Size & space

Small species: at least 30 W x 30 D x 45 H cm; tokays: at least 60 cm tall

Layout

• Place branches and foliage at the top to create height differences
• Make a warm area at the top and a cool area at the bottom
• For females, place a laying box on the floor

Placement notes

• Avoid windowsills in direct sun and spots hit by air-conditioner or heater drafts
• Place in a quiet spot out of sight of other reptiles and cats

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No free-roaming needed. Never let it loose in the room; it climbs walls and escapes
• Handle a few times a week, 5 minutes each at most. Do not force handling until it is used to you
• Plenty of climbing structures inside the cage provide exercise

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureCrested gecko 22–26°C; tokay and Japanese gecko 25–30°C. Drop a few degrees at night

Humidity60–80%. Mist morning and evening to raise it briefly to nearly 90%, letting it dry during the day

Summer & winter

• In summer crested geckos weaken above 28°C. Control room temperature with air conditioning and avoid direct sun
• In winter attach a panel heater to the side. Fit a wire guard on ceiling heaters to prevent burns

Nail trimming

No nail trimming needed. After every shed, check for retained skin on the toes and that it can stick to walls

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Body color turns cloudy white before a shed, so raise humidity; check for retained skin afterward

Other care

They wipe their eyes with the tongue. If skin is retained or swelling appears around the eyes, moisten with water; if it will not come off, see the vet

Protection from predators

• Keep out of reach of cats, dogs and ferrets, with a locking lid
• An escaped gecko can become prey for spiders or mantises. Seal gaps
• Leftover live prey in the cage will gnaw on the gecko at night. Always remove it

Foreign-body ingestion

Fine sand or sphagnum moss swallowed with food causes intestinal blockage. Feed with tongs or a dish and use coarse bedding or paper

Being stepped on

A gecko on your palm or the floor can be stepped on or crushed in a door. Small species weigh only 3 g and die instantly. Never put it on the floor; handle only inside the cage

Getting pinched

Tails or toes get caught in front-opening or sliding doors. Check where the gecko is before closing. Make sure it is not clinging to the lid edge

Falls

Leaping from your hand causes fractures and internal injuries. Handle while sitting on the floor. Do not open your hand at height

Escape

They climb walls and slip through gaps of a few millimeters. Seal vents and cable holes. If it escapes, close the room, darken it at night and search walls and behind curtains

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still, breathe deeply, and lower the gecko to a low position near the floor
2. Small species let go within seconds. Wait and it will open its mouth on its own
3. Tokays do not let go once they bite. Drip a little lukewarm water or vinegar at the mouth
4. Once it lets go, do not chase; return it to the cage and leave it alone for a while

After the release

Wash with running water and soap, then disinfect. Tokay bites are deep; if swelling, pus or fever develops, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, age, temperature and humidity, diet and supplements, date of last droppings and shed, photos of symptoms. Bring the gecko in a plastic cup

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Bring your hand close and check for an escape response or tongue-licking of the eyes (their substitute for blinking)
• Check breathing by slight rise and fall of the belly. Normal is several to a dozen or so per minute
• Watch for a pulse under the throat. It slows dramatically when cold

Stopping bleeding

• Press lightly with clean gauze. For small species, seconds to tens of seconds
• A dropped-tail stump usually does not bleed; if it continues, apply pressure and see the vet
• Use styptic powder made for reptiles only. Do not use human medications

Transport

• Line a plastic cup or small container with ventilation holes with moist paper towel
• Wrap the container in cloth with a disposable hand warmer on the outside. Do not let it touch the gecko directly