Other Geckos - African Fat Tail - Zulu - Male

African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

Basic Info

• Species: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

• Common Name: African Fat-Tailed Gecko

• Size: 7-9 inches total length

• Lifespan: 15-20+ years in captivity

• Origin: West Africa (Senegal to Cameroon)

• Activity: Nocturnal

• Temperament: Docile and calm; excellent for handling

• Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Housing

• Enclosure: 20-gallon long minimum

• Setup: Terrestrial. Low, horizontal enclosure preferred

• Substrate: Bioactive, or paper towel for juveniles

• Hides: Minimum 3 hides - warm side, cool side, and a moist hide for shedding
  

Temperature & Humidity

• Warm side: 84-92°F (belly heat via under-tank heater or heat mat connected to a thermostat)

• Cool side: 70-75°F ambient

• Nighttime: No lower than 65°F

• Humidity: 50-70%; moist hide should stay at 80%+

• Lighting: Low-level UVB beneficial but not required; maintain a 12-hour day/night cycle

Diet

• Primary: Live insects such as dubia roaches, crickets, mealworms, superworms, hornworms

• Supplements: Dust feeders with calcium (with D3) 2x/week; multivitamin 1x/week

• Feeding frequency: Juveniles daily; adults every 2-3 days
  

Shedding

• Sheds every 4-6 weeks; juveniles more frequently

• Maintain a moist hide to assist with clean sheds

• Check toes and tail tip post-shed for retained skin

Handling

• One of the most handleable gecko species as they are calm and slow-moving

• Allow 2 weeks to settle in before regular handling

• Support the full body; avoid grabbing the tail (autotomy possible)

Health Notes

• Tail fat reserves are a key health indicator. A plump tail = a healthy gecko