Traits & behavior
This means they eat mostly live insects.
This means they sleep during the day and are active at night.
They live well together and with other similar size, gentle reptiles or amphibians like green anoles, long-tailed lizards or green treefrogs. If housing multiple pets, watch for any aggressive or territorial behavior, especially among males.
Things to remember
Always supervise children when they're observing your gecko.
House geckos are small and delicate and should not be handled very much. Take care to never handle him by the tail - it could break off.
House geckos come from a tropical environment and need a warm, humid home.
Remove uneaten insects from the habitat in the morning following nighttime feeding.
Safety & cleanliness
Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit disease to humans. Keep your pet's home clean and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home. Infants, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and the infirm or elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with the pet or its habitat. Consult your doctor for more information.
Crickets & worms
House geckos eat small, live insects, like "gut loaded" (you'll feed the insects a special supplement so they have extra nutrients) crickets, mealworms or wax worms.
Feeding amount & frequency
Feed juveniles twice a day; adults 3-4 times a week. Offer an amount that will be consumed during the nighttime feeding.
"Dust" the insects with a calcium supplement twice a week - ask a PetSmart associate for details.
Provide a shallow dish for drinking water and change it daily. Mist all surfaces of the habitat daily to provide drinking water and maintain humidity.
Signs of a healthy house gecko:
- Curious, active behavior
- Clear, alert eyes
- Sheds regularly during growth
- Eats and drinks normally
- Breathes easily
- Well-formed droppings every 2-3 days
Things to watch for:
- Runny droppings or red streaks in droppings for more than two days
- Lethargic behavior
- Eating or drinking less; weight loss
- Swollen joints
- Discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
- Shedding problems; discolored skin
If you notice any of the signs above, please consult an experienced Reptile Veterinarian as soon as possible.
Use a 20-gallon or larger, tall glass terrarium with a screen lid for proper ventilation.
Hiding & climbing
Include a hiding area, along with an assortment of climbing branches.
Keep the humidity level inside the habitat at 70-80%. A hygrometer (humidity gauge) will help you keep track.
- Day - Maintain a daytime temperature between 75-85° F
- Night - Maintain a nighttime temperature between 65-75° F
- Place a thermometer in the home to monitor temperature
House geckos love an environment with live or artificial plants. Check a reptile book for a list of safe live plants to use.
Line the terrarium floor with 2"-3" of coconut fiber or reptile bark bedding to help maintain humidity levels. Clean out waste weekly and change bedding at least once a month to prevent fungus or mold growth.