Sneak preview of A Guide to Australian Geckos and Pygopods in Captivity

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By Dr Danny Brown BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons)

A Guide to…AustralianGECKOS & PYGOPODSin Captivity

A Guide to…

Australian G

ECKOS &

PYGO

POD

S in Captivity By Dr D

anny Brown

BVSc (Hons) BSc (H

ons)SNEAK PREVIEW

page 3

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....................................................................................................................................16

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................19 GENERAL MANAGEMENTPET SUITABILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................20CHOOSING YOUR STOCK ..............................................................................................................................................................20Selecting an Individual Gecko ..................................................................................................................................................21

HANDLING AND HYGIENE ............................................................................................................................................................22 Geckos ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................22Pygopods .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................24

TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................................................................................................25 Short Journeys.....................................................................................................................................................................................................25Long Journeys ......................................................................................................................................................................................................27Timber Boxes ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................28Plastic Containers ...........................................................................................................................................................................................28

PURCHASE AND FREIGHT ETIQUETTE ..................................................................................................................29 Buyers ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................29Sellers .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................................................................30

GENERAL SAFETY ........................................................................................................................................................................................32

SECURITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................32

QUARANTINE ......................................................................................................................................................................................................33

HOUSINGINDOOR ENCLOSURES ..................................................................................................................................................34Rack Systems ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................34Tubs .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34Tanks ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35Timber Enclosures .........................................................................................................................................................................................35Glass, Perspex or Plastic Moulded Commercial Terrariums ......................................................35 Mesh Terrariums ...............................................................................................................................................................................................37

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ........................................................................................................................................37Pits ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38Aviaries ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................38

ENCLOSURE SIZE ..........................................................................................................................................................................................39Minimum Enclosure Sizes .................................................................................................................................................................39

CONTENTS

page 4

COMPATIBILITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................40 VENTILATION ......................................................................................................................................................................................................40

SUBSTRATE .............................................................................................................................................................................................................41

Sand ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................41

Soil ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42

Gravel ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42

Scoria ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42

Leaf Litter .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................42Potting Mix ................................................................................................................................................................................................................43Sphagnum Moss ...............................................................................................................................................................................................43Peat.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43Bark and Wood Chip...................................................................................................................................................................................43Wood Shavings ...................................................................................................................................................................................................44Corn Cob Litter ....................................................................................................................................................................................................44Walnut Shell Litter .........................................................................................................................................................................................44Alfalfa/Lucerne Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................................44Compressed Timber Pellets ...........................................................................................................................................................44Compressed Newspaper Pellets .............................................................................................................................................44Zeolite and Clumping Cat Litter .............................................................................................................................................44Paper ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44Artificial Grass ......................................................................................................................................................................................................45Indoor/Outdoor Carpet ........................................................................................................................................................................45

HIDE SITES .......................................................................................................................................................................................................45 Vertical Hide Sites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................45Horizontal Hide Sites ................................................................................................................................................................................46

ENCLOSURE ENRICHMENT ...................................................................................................................................47Surface Litter ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................47Branches and Hollows.............................................................................................................................................................................47Artificial Plants ....................................................................................................................................................................................................48Dried Plants ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................48Live Plants ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................49

HEATING ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................50

HEAT CORD OR TAPE ..............................................................................................................................................................................50

HEAT MATS ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................51

HEAT ROCKS ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................52

CERAMIC HEATERS....................................................................................................................................................................................52

GLOBES...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................52Standard Incandescent Globes ................................................................................................................................................52Reflector Globes ...............................................................................................................................................................................................53Reptile Lamps .......................................................................................................................................................................................................53Halogen Bulbs ......................................................................................................................................................................................................53Infrared Globes ...................................................................................................................................................................................................54Mercury Vapour Lamps (MVLs) ..............................................................................................................................................54

page 5

LIGHTING ............................................................................................................................................................................................................55 THE SCIENCE OF LIGHTING .......................................................................................................................................................55Visible Light ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................55Infrared ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................55Ultraviolet A (UV-A) .....................................................................................................................................................................................55Ultraviolet B (UV-B) ......................................................................................................................................................................................56Ultraviolet C (UV-C) ......................................................................................................................................................................................58

LIGHTING OPTIONS .................................................................................................................................................................................58UV-B Emitting Fluorescent Tubes .........................................................................................................................................59Black Lights ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................60Compact UV-B Emitting Lamps ...............................................................................................................................................60Mercury Vapour Lamps .........................................................................................................................................................................61

THERMOSTATS ...................................................................................................................................................................................61Probe Thermostats .......................................................................................................................................................................................62On/Off Thermostats ....................................................................................................................................................................................62Dimming Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................................................62Pulse Proportional Thermostats ............................................................................................................................................62

HUMIDITY .......................................................................................................................................................................................................63

FEEDING METHODS AND NUTRITIONINVERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ......................................................................................................................65Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................65Cockroaches ............................................................................................................................................................................................................65Mealworms—Tenebrio molitor .........................................................................................................................................................66King Mealworms or Superworms—Zophobas morio .................................................................................66Maggots/Flies/Pupae—Musca vetutissima ..................................................................................................................67Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67Silkworms—Bombyx mori and other caterpillars ............................................................................................67Termites ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................68Earthworms—Lumbricus terrestrius ...........................................................................................................................................68Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................68Spiders ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................68Fruit Flies—Drosophila species .....................................................................................................................................................69Snails—Helix aspersa and other species .........................................................................................................................69Waxworms—Galleria mellonella ....................................................................................................................................................69Wild Fodder ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................69Nutritional Data Averages for Invertebrate Diets .....................................................................................70

VERTEBRATE FOOD ITEMS ................................................................................................................................71Rats and Mice ........................................................................................................................................................................................................71Fish ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71Reptiles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................71Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets ...........................................................................................72

page 6

ARTIFICIAL DIETS .......................................................................................................................................................................73

CULTURING INSECT FOOD ITEMS ..................................................................................................73Crickets—Acheta domestica .................................................................................................................................................................73Speckled Feeder Roaches—Nauphoeta cinerea ..................................................................................................76Locusts—Chortoicetes terminifera .................................................................................................................................................77Bush Flies—Musca vetutissima .........................................................................................................................................................77Slaters .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................80Lesser Waxworms (Indian Meal Moths)—Plodia interpunctella ..................................................80Fruit Fly/Vinegar Fly/Ferment Fly—Drosphila species ..........................................................................80

DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS .........................................................................................................................................81

CALCIUM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................81Gut Loading .............................................................................................................................................................................................................82Dusting.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................82

PROTEIN........................................................................................................................................................................................................................83

FEEDING FACILITIES ...........................................................................................................................................................83 FEEDING PROBLEMS .........................................................................................................................................................85

TREATMENT ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................86Assist Feeding .....................................................................................................................................................................................................86Force Feeding ........................................................................................................................................................................................................87Tube Feeding .........................................................................................................................................................................................................87

BREEDINGVISUAL SEXING ..................................................................................................................................................................................88Colour .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88Size ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88Femoral and Preanal Pores .............................................................................................................................................................89Hemipenal Bulges ..........................................................................................................................................................................................89Paracloacal Spur Structures ..........................................................................................................................................................90

OTHER SEXING TECHNIQUES .................................................................................................................................................91Hemipenal Popping....................................................................................................................................................................................91Hemipenal Transillumination .....................................................................................................................................................91Hemipenal Observation ......................................................................................................................................................................93

BREEDING AGE.....................................................................................................................................................................................93

COURTSHIP ...................................................................................................................................................................................................93

MATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................93

STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE BREEDING SUCCESS ..........................................94

COOLING ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................94SEPARATION .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96

page 7

REPRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................................................96REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES .................................................................................................................................................96EGG TYPE ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................96CLUTCH SIZE .........................................................................................................................................................................................................96BREEDING FREQUENCY ...................................................................................................................................................................97GRAVIDITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................97CARING FOR BREEDING FEMALE GECKOS AND PYGOPODS ......................................97

NEST FACILITIES ...............................................................................................................................................................................98 ARBOREAL SPECIES .................................................................................................................................................................................99TERRESTRIAL SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................................................99

EGG LAYING .............................................................................................................................................................................................101 EGG MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................................................................................101 Collecting and Handling .................................................................................................................................................................101Determining Egg Viability ............................................................................................................................................................102

ARTIFICIAL INCUBATION .......................................................................................................................................105INCUBATION FACILITIES .............................................................................................................................................................105CONTAINERS .....................................................................................................................................................................................................106 HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................107TEMPERATURE CONTROL .........................................................................................................................................................107INCUBATION MEDIUM ....................................................................................................................................................................108Vermiculite .............................................................................................................................................................................................................108 Perlite ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................108Sphagnum Moss ...........................................................................................................................................................................................108 True Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109Coir Peat Moss ................................................................................................................................................................................................109Sand ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................109 No Substrate .......................................................................................................................................................................................................109

INCUBATION REGIMES ...................................................................................................................................................................110 TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT SEX DETERMINATION .................................................................110

NATURAL INCUBATION ..............................................................................................................................................112

HATCHLING CARE .....................................................................................................................................................................113

FEEDING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................113 Feeding Frequency ..................................................................................................................................................................................113Supplementation ........................................................................................................................................................................................113

LIGHTING ................................................................................................................................................................................................................113

HOUSING .................................................................................................................................................................................................................114

HEATING ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................114

COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................114

page 8

COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERSDISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................................................................115

NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS ...............................................................................................................................115 OBESITY ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................115

METABOLIC BONE DISEASE (CALCIUM/VITAMIN D3 DEFICIENCY) ...............116Early Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ..........................................................................................................................116Late Onset Metabolic Bone Disease ............................................................................................................................117Delayed Metabolic Bone Disease .....................................................................................................................................117Floppy Tail Syndrome ..........................................................................................................................................................................118Reproductive Metabolic Bone Disease ...................................................................................................................118

GUT IMPACTION ........................................................................................................................................................................................118

PARASITIC DISORDERS ..............................................................................................................................................120

INTERNAL PARASITES .....................................................................................................................................................................120

EXTERNAL PARASITES ....................................................................................................................................................................121

SKIN DISORDERS ........................................................................................................................................................................122

DYSECDYSIS.......................................................................................................................................................................................................122

SCALE ROT ............................................................................................................................................................................................................123 NAIL, TOE AND LIMB DISORDERS...................................................................................................124

EYE DISORDERS .............................................................................................................................................................................124

EYE TRAUMA.....................................................................................................................................................................................................124

PHOTO-KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS ............................................................................................................................124

PRIMARY BACTERIAL EYE INFECTIONS ..........................................................................................................125

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS ................................................................................................................................125

BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA ...........................................................................................................................................................125

VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY ...............................................................................................................................................................125

HUMIDITY RELATED PROBLEMS ..................................................................................................................................125 PARASITIC PNEUMONIA ............................................................................................................................................................126

TRAUMA ............................................................................................................................................................................................................126 BITE INJURIES .................................................................................................................................................................................................126 THERMAL BURNS .....................................................................................................................................................................................127

REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS .......................................................................................................................127 PRE-OVULATORY AND POST-OVULATORY STASIS (EGG BINDING OR DYSTOCIA) ..........................................................................................................................................127

UTERINE INFECTION ..........................................................................................................................................................................129 HEMIPENAL INJURIES AND INFECTION ..........................................................................................................129 CONGENITAL DEFECTS ..................................................................................................................................................................130

page 9

NASAL AND ORAL DISORDERS .............................................................................................................132NASAL ABRASIONS—NOSE RUBS ............................................................................................................................132 JAW DISEASE/PERIODONTITIS/STOMATITIS.........................................................................................133

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATIONS ...................................................................................133SUBCUTANEOUS OR INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS ............................................................133Liquid Oral Medication ......................................................................................................................................................................134Oral Tablet Medication.......................................................................................................................................................................136

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR REPTILE VETERINARIAN.........136

SPECIESBYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKOPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................139

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................139

ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................139

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................143

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................143

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................145

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................145

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................145 INDOOR ENCLOSURES ....................................................................................................................................................................146 Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................147

OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................147

COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................148

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................148

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................148INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................149BREEDING RECORDS FOR BYNOE’S GECKO AND DESERT CAVE GECKO SPECIES ........................................................................................................................................149HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................150LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................150ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................150

DTELLAS AND HOUSE GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................151

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................152


page 10

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................156


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................158

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................158



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................160

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................160

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................160INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................163BREEDING RECORDS FOR DTELLA AND HOUSE GECKO SPECIES ..................163HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................164LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................164ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................164

GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................165

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................165ADULTS, JUVENILES, SEXING, SUBSPECIES ............................................................................................165

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................169DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................169

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................171STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................171


OUTDOOR ENCLOSURES ............................................................................................................................................................173 COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................173FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................173BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................174INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................175BREEDING RECORDS FOR GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKO SPECIES ...............................................................................................................................................175HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................176LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................176ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................176

page 11

KNOB-TAILED GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................178

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................178


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................185


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................187

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................187



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................191

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................191

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................192INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................193BREEDING RECORDS FOR KNOB-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..........................................194HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................195LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................198ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................198

LEAF-TAILED GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................199

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................204


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................208


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................210

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................210



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................213

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................214

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................215

page 12

INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................216

BREEDING RECORDS FOR LEAF-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..............................................217

HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................217

LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................217

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................217

SMALL ARBOREAL GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................218

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................224


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................232


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................233

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................233



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................235

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................235

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................236

INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................237

BREEDING RECORDS FOR SMALL ARBOREAL GECKO SPECIES ...........................238

HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................239

LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................239

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................239

RING-TAILED GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................240

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................240


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................245


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................246

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................246

HOUSING .......................................................................................................................................................................................................246

page 13

INDOOR ENCLOSURES ....................................................................................................................................................................247 Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................248


COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................248

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................248

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................249INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................251BREEDING RECORDS FOR RING-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ..............................................252HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................252LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................252ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................252

SMALL TERRESTRIAL GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................253

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................260


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................264


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................266

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................266



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................268

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................268

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................269INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................270BREEDING RECORDS FOR SMALL TERRESTRIAL GECKO SPECIES .................271HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................272LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................272ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................272

THICK-TAILED GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................273

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................275


page 14

IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................279DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT ...........................................................................................................................................279

IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................281

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................281



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................285

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................285

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................285INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................287BREEDING RECORDS FOR THICK-TAILED GECKO SPECIES ...........................................288HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................289LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................289ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................289

VELVET GECKOSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................290

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................300


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................304


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................305

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................305



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................306

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................307

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................307INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................308BREEDING RECORDS FOR VELVET GECKO SPECIES ..................................................................309HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................309LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................311ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................311

page 15

PYGOPODS—FLAP FOOTED LIZARDSPRONUNCIATION .....................................................................................................................................................................................313

DESCRIPTION ..............................................................................................................................................................................320


IN THE WILD .....................................................................................................................................................................................325


IN CAPTIVITY ...............................................................................................................................................................................326

STATUS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................326



COMPATIBILITY ...........................................................................................................................................................................................331

FEEDING ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................331

BREEDING....................................................................................................................................................................................................334INCUBATION AND HATCHLING DEVELOPMENT ..............................................................................336BREEDING RECORDS FOR PYGOPOD SPECIES ..................................................................................336HYBRIDISATION AND COLOUR VARIANTS .................................................................................................337LONGEVITY .........................................................................................................................................................................................................337ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................................................................337

AUSTRALIAN HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETIES AND USEFUL WEBSITESHERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETIES ..........................................................................................................................................338

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES .......................................................................................................................................................338

BIBLIOGRAPHYPRINTED LITERATURE......................................................................................................................................................................339

ONLINE RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................................................................................341

GLOSSARY .....................................................................................................................................................................................342

page 34

HOUSINGThe diversity of gecko and pygopod species available for captive care may be accommodated simply in just a few basic types of enclosures. Consideration must be given to each genus and species as well as an individual’s requirements for heating, lighting, security, substrate, ventilation, humidity and furnishings. However, this does not mean that housing geckos or pygopods needs to be complicated or expensive.

INDOOR ENCLOSURESThe predominant means of housing geckos and pygopods is in indoor enclosures. Consider the specimen’s basic requirements as well as your own preferences in design when investigating enclosures. Following are the various types of indoor enclosures available.

Rack SystemsRack systems comprise plastic tubs enclosed within a shelving system and are commonly used for housing terrestrial geckos. They are compact, secure and inexpensive.

The major disadvantages of rack systems are they are not as aesthetically appealing as other types of enclosures and are difficult to light appropriately. Heating is usually limited to subfloor heating. This dramatically limits their suitability for terrestrial species that are unable to climb, particularly burrowing species. They are generally unsuitable for pygopods or arboreal geckos as they often have small gaps and crevices.

TubsEssentially the same as rack systems, tubs are generally positioned in a more open manner, allowing heating and lighting to be provided from above. They are inexpensive and available in a range of sizes.

Tubs are suitable for many terrestrial species of geckos and most pygopods.

The main disadvantages of tubs are the limitations on furnishings, their aesthetic appearance and their poor security—it is difficult to supply appropriate heating and lighting with a lid on the container. Access can be improved by placing the tub on shelves that can be attached to drawer sliders allowing the whole tub to be moved out from beneath heating and lighting fixtures.

S RA

NSO

M

Rack system suitable for knob-tailed and thick-tailed geckos

D B

ROW

N

Recycling tubs are positioned on sliding shelves for easy access

page 46

Nest boxes may be more effective as hides when filled with substrate or loosely filled with dry or moist sphagnum moss, pieces of paper bark, folded paper towel or small pieces of bark. The substrate should provide an open space of 1.5−2 SVL long x 0.5 SVL wide.

In small enclosures, arboreal species will use hides wherever they are located. In larger enclosures that measure more than 5 SVL high, elevated hides are preferred.

Geckos and pygopods will tuck themselves against an edge in a corner when resting in boxes. This can be an effective way of localising resting areas into one space, allowing for the remainder

of the enclosure to be more effectively furnished.

Horizontal Hide SitesSpecies that prefer horizontal hide sites can be provided with boxes, intact hollow logs, hollow logs split in half lengthways, inverted terracotta or plastic pot plant saucers, bamboo pieces split lengthwise, terracotta tiles, tile or timber stacks or commercial hide sites usually shaped as artificial rocks.

Horizontal hides can be used in one of two ways. Most burrowing and digging species will use a hide as a starting point for their burrows, which may start as a shallow depression. Other ground dwelling species will use hides as pre-existing cavities—the artificial equivalent of soil cracks, gaps under logs and spaces between rocks.

When determining the placement of hides, consider the relevant safety issues. Plastic hides are at risk of outgassing—which is the production of fumes from heated plastic—and must never be placed directly under a heat source. Timber hides should also be placed carefully to ensure they do not pose a fire risk if exposed to excessive heat.

D B

ROW

N

D B

ROW

N

Bark slabs Plant pots make ideal vertical hide sites

D B

ROW

ND

BRO

WN

Terracotta saucers and bamboo splits make ideal hides for small species

Commercial hide structures

page 72

L. burtonis—as an obligate lizard feeder, this species has adapted to cope with high levels of parasite ingestion. The occasional injured captive bred hatchling can be offered to species such as Nephrurus geckos, rather than waste them.The nutritional content of each food item varies, as outlined in the table below.

Nutritional Data Averages for Vertebrate Diets

FOOD TYPEPROTEIN(%/Dry Matter)

PROTEIN(g/100g)

FAT(%/Dry Matter)

FAT (g/100g)

CALCIUM TO PHOSPHORUS

RATIO Ca:P

Mouse (pinkie) 64.2 12.3 15.2 3.2 1:1.13

Mouse (fuzzie) 41.80 − 46.7 − 1.1:1

Rat (pinkie) 57.9 12.0 23.7 4.9 −

Lizard (skink or gecko) 65−68 − 8−10 − 2:1

The values in this chart may be confusing without knowledge of how they were obtained. Therefore, it is recommended they be critically evaluated on a comparative basis rather than on actual values. Available values vary greatly depending on the diet of the insect, the bias of the researcher and the research method employed. Research carried out by live food companies will sometimes be biased towards their own products.

A E

LLIO

TT

Lialis burtonis feeding on a Pogona vitticeps hatchling

page 101

watched, she may not nest. What is important is the female’s perception that the site is in some way protected.Appropriate environmental conditionsMost geckos and pygopods require a stable and elevated temperature in order to achieve optimum embryonic development of their eggs. Therefore, many select nesting sites that receive direct, radiant or reflected heat from sunlight. It is important to place the moistened nesting substrate near some form of structure in an area that receives some direct radiant heat. This is more important with pygopods than geckos.

Despite your best efforts, some females will consistently reject available nest sites, which may lead to reproductive disease.

EGG LAYINGFemale geckos and pygopods commence egg laying after digging a hole in the nesting substrate, generally close to the bottom of the enclosure or container. She will then turn around, reverse into the hole, lay her eggs and then backfill the hole with soil. Many females leave a depression in the top of the substrate, betraying the location of the eggs.

Prior to egg laying, many species will perform test digs for several days. Female pygopods will use their heads to force their bodies deep into the nesting substrate, flexing sideways to widen the hole. If large chunks of material impede the passage of their heads, the females may grip the items with their mouth and pull them out. They will then create a small cavity at the end of the hole into which the eggs are laid. After laying, they will then reverse out of the hole and push the soil back in place with their head.

Some species of geckos lay communally with dozens of eggs found in a single area. Whether this is due to a lack of suitable laying sites or a ‘safety in numbers’ strategy is not clear.

EGG MANAGEMENT Collecting and HandlingReptile eggs differ from bird eggs in a number of ways. Bird eggs require regular rotation to disperse nutrients to the embryo and to ensure correct development, whereas reptile eggs do not require rotation. The embryo in bird eggs develops centrally, suspended in a membranous sac.

A Saltuarius salebrosus laying

Indentation in the nesting substrate is a sure sign of test digs or nesting

Eggs are usually laid on or near the bottom of the container—Oedura marmorata

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COMMON DISEASES AND DISORDERSDISCLAIMERAlthough lizards are generally quite hardy by nature, they will occasionally become unwell or develop lesions—despite a keeper’s best intentions. This chapter will explore the common disorders that affect lizards, the associated clinical signs and treatment options.

Most health issues require a degree of veterinary assistance, as many medications are available by prescription only. Therefore, a full physical examination of your lizard by a veterinarian is often required before medication can be prescribed. This is a legal requirement designed to establish proper drug use and slow the development of drug resistance caused by the inappropriate use of medication. Veterinarians who fail to meet these legal requirements may be fined and lose their practicing licence. Please do not ask your veterinarian to supply drugs without a prescription.

The numerous medications discussed in this chapter are not for your own home treatment—my aim is to assist you if you ever seek advice from a non-reptile veterinarian who is unsure of the available treatment options. Many of the medications recommended here are rarely marketed for use with reptiles—they are often not registered as reptile medications and their recommended dosages have been developed using anecdotal evidence—not through official clinical trials conducted by drug companies. The medications recommended in this chapter are believed to be safe based on current evidence in veterinary literature.

The following advice is not intended to be a substitute to veterinary care. Always follow the instructions provided by your veterinarian. Any recommendation in this text is to be used at your own risk.

NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS

OBESITYLike in any species of animal, lack of activity coupled with excess nutrition can lead to obesity in lizards. In most cases, obese geckos and pygopods are quite obviously rotund, usually around the abdomen and tail base. Other specimens may store fat internally in large abdominal fat pads that may not seem obvious from the outside or may mimic gravidity. The major organ influenced by obesity is the liver. Fatty liver is usually a chronic disease and, on post mortem, the livers of these specimens are often bright yellow in colour and ooze fat when incised. Fatty livers and massive fat

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Basic anatomy of a gecko, Nephrurus amyae

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GIANT CAVE AND GIANT TREE GECKOSThe giant cave and giant tree gecko group comprises three species as follows—Giant Cave Gecko Pseudothecadactylus lindneri Western Giant Cave Gecko Pseudothecadactylus cavaticus Giant Tree Gecko Pseudothecadactylus australis

PRONUNCIATION Following are the accepted pronunciations of the giant cave and giant tree gecko species.Pseudothecadactylus lindneri Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us lynd-nerr-eePseudothecadactylus cavaticus Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us kav-at-ick-usPseudothecadactylus australis Sue-doh-theek-ah-dack-til-us os-trah-liss

DESCRIPTIONADULTS The giant cave and giant tree group are among the largest geckos in Australia with heavily set features, broad heads and long and slender prehensile tails. The underside of their tail tip has adhesive lamellae similar to that on the underside of their toes—giving them the ability to jump significant distances and land gracefully on uneven surfaces.

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Members of the Pseudothecadactylus genus have adhesive lamellae on the tip of their tails

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The Central Rough Knob-tailed Gecko N. amyae displays considerable variation in colour on a daily basis, becoming pale at times. A limited number of true hypomelanistic Central Rough Knob-tailed Gecko N. amyae exist—they are cream in overall colour.

Rough Knob-tailed Geckos N. asper display considerable variation in colour in the wild—these colour forms also exist in captivity. The most common is the plain grey-brown form. Also present in small numbers are red forms from the Mount Isa and Dajarra regions of Queensland, and heavily striped forms from the north Queensland tablelands and Cape York.

N. w. cinctus has been bred overseas for many years and is available in a variety of designer colour morphs including a loss of bands (Patternless), longitudinal bands (Striped) and zigzag banding (‘flame’ wheeleri).

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Leucistic Nephrurus levis occidentalis

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Patternless ‘Jellybean’ Nephrurus levis pair

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Hypomelanistic Nephrurus levis

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DESCRIPTIONADULTS The leaf-tailed gecko group are among the largest geckos in Australia with spectacular, ornate and distinctive leaf or heart-shaped tails from which these species get their name. However, many specimens have pale grey-green regenerated tails that lack the ornate surface features or fringing of the original tail.

The two primary genera can be distinguished by the shape of their original tail. Saltuarius tails are broad and flat with elaborate fringing and Phyllurus tails are cylindrical or flat with a simple flared edge. Their rostral scale arrangements also vary—Saltuarius have the rostral scale contacting the nostrils, whereas in Phyllurus the rostral scale is separated from the nostril by additional scales.

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Saltuarius cornutus nose tip with rostral scales contacting the nostrils

Phyllurus platurus nose tip with rostral scales not contacting the nostrils

Documents

Sneak preview of A Guide to Australian Geckos and Pygopods in Captivity