Defining Characteristics:

• Robust size
• Unique textured scales
• Beautiful red-orange colors
• Easy to keep

Name: This gecko was given the name Nephrurus amyae after Amy Couper, the daughter of a respected Australian Herpetologist by the name of Patrick J. Couper. Commonly known as the Centralian Knob-Tailed Gecko, so named for where it hails from and for its rough textured scales, bands, and characteristic knob tail. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Being larger bodied than most knob-tail geckos, an adult should be provided a 36x18x12 sized enclosure. Males should never be housed together. 

Fine-grain sand mixed with coco fiber works well as a substrate, but can be cut with trace amounts of clay (Zoo Med Excavator Clay works well) in order to hold their burrows better. 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, cholla wood, 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) & Lighting: During the day, knob-tails 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 amyae geckos at 30-40% humidity. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. It is important to provide a humid microclimate for these animals to shed properly—a humid hide works well, a substrate that holds moisture in the underneath layers while drying out on top and maintaining proper ambient humidity is even better. 

Mist these geckos two or three times a week to rehydrate the substrate and provide dew on the enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink, but enough ventilation should be provided to allow the surface areas of the enclosure to dry out within a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

Size: Centralian rough knob-tailed geckos can reach around 5-6 inches from head to tail. However, having a much smaller tail than the rest of their genus, these geckos are impressively sized and robust.

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

Feeding: These geckos are insectivores, and you can buy all the feeders you’ll need right from Josh’s Frogs! A staple of crickets and roaches works best, with other feeder insects (waxworms, mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, etc.) being offered as occasional treats. Knob-tail geckos can handle insects ranging from 1/4 to 1 inch, favoring small prey items when they are young, and gradually taking on larger prey as they age.

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 knob-tailed geckos exhibit a conspicuous hemipenal bulge at the base of the tail, and are both shorter and leaner than their adult female counterparts.

Color/Pattern: Rough-banded knob tailed geckos are often red-orange to orange in color with subtle cream bands. Most notable are the tubercled scales giving a textured or rough appearance, and the knob at the end of the tail.

Social Behavior: Males can be housed with one to two 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 may help incite breeding. Females lay pairs of eggs about once every 30-40 days. Eggs are buried in substrate and should be carefully removed and incubated. 

Natural Range: Centralian Rough Knob-Tailed Geckos are found in the central regions of Australia (often referred to as Centralia), including some Northern and western territories. They typically live in rocky desertland or xeric shrublands. 

History in the Hobby: Once very popular in the hobby, their prices dropped until they began to lose popularity, and they have since become rare in the hobby. At Josh’s Frogs, we are excited to help this charismatic desert species become regularly available! 

Links of Interest: 

• Reptiles Magazine Care Article - Reptiles Magazine article on the care of knob-tailed geckos