HomePuerto Rican Crescent Geckos (Sphaerodactylus nicholsi) Care and Breeding
Puerto Rican Crescent Geckos (Sphaerodactylus nicholsi) Care and Breeding
NAME
Puerto Rican crescent geckos (Sphaerodactylus nicholsi) are named for the black crescent mark found on top of their heads. These geckos are the smallest species of geckos available in captivity!
COLORATION
Puerto Rican crescent geckos are dark brown in color. Juveniles have a red tail. Some individuals have dark mottled lines running down their back and tail. Characteristic of these geckos is the crescent mark found on top of their head.
HOUSING
A pair of crescent gecko adults can be housed in an 8x8x12 enclosure or a 12x12x12 enclosure. As with other micro geckos, they are best kept solo or as a pair. Sphaerodactylus micro geckos are equipped with toe pads and can climb smooth surfaces like glass; because hatchlings and juveniles are very small, any accessible escape routes must secured!Substrates like DigIt, Coco Select, and other coco-fiber based substrates work well. Sand-soil mixtures can also be used. A bioactive substrate can be made using BioBedding with springtails and isopods, offering your geckos additional food sources and reducing the need to spot clean. The substrate should be kept moist.Crescent geckos are diurnal and terrestrial. They should be provided with plenty of hiding places. A layer of leaf litter over the substrate is recommended, but additional hides should also be provided; cork bark and similar items can be used as hides. Live plants are always a welcome addition to the ashy gecko’s enclosure.Though they are primarily terrestrial, crescent geckos are often found climbing and hanging out in elevated areas in their enclosure. Climbing material, like rocks, driftwood, cork bark, and manzanita branches, are recommended. While this species has not been observed digging, they’re very small and at risk of being crushed, so we strongly recommend ensuring that any heavy enclosure items be securely placed and supported by the bottom of the enclosure instead of the substrate. During the day, crescent geckos should be kept at temperatures ranging from 75 to 80 F. A heat source is not necessary if stable temperatures are maintained. If a heat source is provided, use a low wattage heat pad or bulb to prevent overheating. Despite being a diurnal species, UV lighting for this species is a matter of debate. If UV light is used, a 2.0 or 5.0 bulb should be used, and plenty of shaded areas should be provided in the enclosure. Temperatures should not fall below 65 F at night.
Humidity
Crescent geckos enjoy a humidity of around 55-65%. This species should be misted daily or every other day to maintain an elevated humidity and to provide water droplets on the enclosure walls, leaf litter, and other cage items from which the geckos can drink. The enclosure should have enough ventilation that it dries out after several hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with consistent misting. Live plants will help create humid microclimates within the enclosure.Both temperature and humidity should be monitored with a digital thermometer/hygrometer.
SIZE
Puerto Rican crescent geckos are the smallest geckos available in captivity. Smaller than an inch when hatching out, adults only reach around 2 inches from head to tail!
DIET
Like all micro geckos, crescent geckos are insectivores. While their small size limits what bugs they can be offered in captivity, we supply all of the insects your crescent gecko will need. A staple diet of pinhead to ⅛-inch crickets works best for juveniles. Melanogaster fruit flies, springtails, and small dwarf white isopods can also be offered to juveniles. Adults should be fed a staple of ¼-inch crickets, but can also be offered extra small black soldier fly larvae, dwarf white isopods, hydei and melanogaster fruit flies, and bean beetles. Feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement. A food dish is not necessary but will help contain insects.
SEX
Males can be distinguished by a series of shiny scales between their hind legs.
BREEDING
A light brumation period in the winter or increasing the length of day in the summer is recommended to incite breeding. Females will lay a single egg every three to four weeks in a secure area, including small egg-laying tubes. Eggs should be carefully removed and incubated.Links of Interest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphaerodactylus_nicholsihttps://www.iucnredlist.org/species/178301/71744715[button-green url="https://new.joshsfrogs.com/p/puerto-rican-crescent-gecko-sphaerodactylus-nicholsi-captive-bred-geck014" target="_self" position="left"]Buy a Puerto Rican Crescent Gecko[/button-green]
