Defining Characteristics:

• Small, nocturnal, terrestrial
• Beautiful colors and banding
• Easy to keep
• Can be handled carefully on occasion

Name: Underwoodisaurus milii. Known as Australian barking geckos, as hatchlings and juveniles are known to vocalize when threatened. In captivity, this trait usually disappears with age as they become accustomed to human interaction. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: A single adult should be kept in a 24x18x12 terrarium. Males should never be housed together.

Fine-grain sand works well as a substrate, and can also be mixed with a small amount of clay, such as Zoo med Excavator Clay. Desert BioBedding with isopods (dwarf whites or dairy cows or giant canyons all work well), springtails, and succulents can be used to create a beautiful and bioactive arid enclosure!

Numerous hides should be provided; slate, cork flats, live oak bark, or even everyday items like overturned flower saucers work well. Low climbing materials like rocks, driftwood, cork bark, manzanita branches, and other rough surfaces can be added. These geckos love to dig, so any heavy items should be supported by the bottom of the enclosure instead of by the substrate.

Temperature (°F): During the day, barking geckos should be kept at temperatures ranging from 75 to 80°. A basking spot of around 90° should be present and can be accomplished with an appropriate overhead heat bulb.

UV lighting is recommended. Not only will they synthesize D3 from ambient UVB radiation and incidental exposure, but they will also use the UVA wavelengths visible to all reptiles to properly inform basking behavior and circadian rhythm. If provided, UV lighting should be focused on their basking site, and should be no higher than Ferguson zone 1 levels of UV radiation. It is especially imperative that knob-tailed geckos are provided hides and other such places to escape from UV lighting, as their eyes can be sensitive to overhead lighting. However, when the enclosure is properly decorated, this is not an issue; the animal will self-regulate its own light exposure.

Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and the basking spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer or temperature gun.

Humidity: Keep Australian barking geckos at 40-50% humidity. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. A humid hide is recommended for this species to provide a humid microclimate, to help with shedding. These geckos should be lightly misted once or twice a week, moisten a portion of the substrate and provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink, but enough ventilation should be provided to allow the enclosure to dry out after a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

Size: Australian barking geckos reach around 4.5 inches from head to tail. Juveniles sold by Josh’s Frogs are roughly 1.5-2 inches long.

Age: It is estimated that Australian barking geckos live up to 10 years in captivity. Individuals sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 6 weeks old.

Feeding: Australian barking geckos are insectivores, and you can buy all the feeders you’ll need right from Josh’s Frogs!

Juveniles sold by Josh’s Frogs are large enough to take 1/4 inch crickets or roaches. Young geckos can also be occasionally offered black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, waxworms, etc.

Adults should be fed a staple of 1/2 inch crickets or roaches and can be offered other feeder insects such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and, as an occasional treat, waxworms, silkworms, or butterworms.

Offering insects in an escape-proof feeding bowl will minimize the number of bugs that escape and hide among the enclosure. Once weekly, feeder insects should be lightly dusted with a calcium and multivitamin supplement. Due to their sensitivity towards overdosing vitamin D3, knob-tails should only be given supplementation with very low levels of added D3, such as Repashy Calcium plus LoD.

Sexing: Adult male Australian barking geckos will exhibit a bulge at the base of the tail. This species is typically sexable around 6 months.

Color/Pattern: These geckos are often red-orange to orange in color with yellow or cream interrupted banding and spotting. They have a black tail with the same banding.

Social Behavior: Juveniles may be housed together. Males can be housed with a number of females provided enough space and food. Males should never be housed together.

Breeding: A light brumation period in the winter or longer days in the summer will help incite breeding. Females lay around 6 pairs of eggs during the breeding season. Eggs are buried in substrate and should be carefully removed and incubated. Eggs will also be deposited in a humid hide if one is provided.

Natural Range: Australian barking geckos are endemic to the deserts of Australia!

History in the Hobby: Australian barking geckos are established in the hobby though not always commonly available. 

Links of Interest:

• Reptiles Magazine Care Article - Reptiles Magazine article on the care of Australian barking geckos

Still not sure if the Australian barking gecko from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!