Defining Characteristics:

• Small species
• Diurnal
• Active, quick, responsive gecko
• Excellent display animal

Name: Lygodactylus kimhowelli. Known as the Kim Howell's Dwarf Gecko or the Yellow-Headed Dwarf Gecko, for its small size and yellow head!

Recommended Enclosure Size: A single animal can be kept in a 12x12x18 enclosure. Pairs have been successfully kept and bred in this size enclosure. A bioactive setup with live plants is strongly recommended for this species; BioBedding is recommended to maintain live plants, springtails, and isopods. Be sure to provide plenty of climbing material in the form of cork bark, branches, and/or bamboo. 

Temperature: Keep Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos between 75-80 F. A basking spot of around 90-95 F should also be provided. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer. Night temperatures should not fall below 70 F. Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos should also be provided with a 5.0 or similar strength UVB light.

Humidity: Provide Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos a humid but well ventilated setup between 60-70%. Plants can be added to help stabilize higher humidity as well as provide humid microclimates. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos should be misted daily to provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink. A water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting; a water dish will not replace the need to regularly mist the enclosure.

Size: Adult Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos only reach around 3 inches from head to tail.

Age: Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos are at least 2 months old when sold by Josh’s Frogs, at which time they are well established. It is estimated that these geckos live for around 8-10 years in captivity.

Feeding: These geckos are omnivores, eating both insects and fruit in the wild. In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of gecko diet mix and feeder insects. Hatchlings and juveniles should be offered ⅛-inch crickets or fruit flies until they are large enough to eat ¼-inch crickets. Providing mounted feeding cups for this arboreal species works well. Other appropriately sized feeder insects, like dubia roaches and black soldier fly larvae, can also be occasionally offered but need to be provided in a food dish to be accessible. Feeder insects should be dusted with a calcium and multivitamin supplement.

Sexing: The best way to sex Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos is by their femoral pores, found between their hind legs. Compared to females, males exhibit strong and very visible femoral pores. Males also exhibit darker throats, though this should be used as the sole feature when sexing these geckos.

Color/Pattern: These geckos have a blue jean color across their body with a yellow head, with lines extending down both the head and the body.

Social Behavior: We’ve housed Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos solo or as a pair. Provided ample space as well as multiple basking and feeding locations, multiple females may be housed together with a single male.

Breeding: Female Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos lay 2 eggs once every 3-4 weeks. Unlike other Lygodactylus geckos, their eggs are not always adhered to a surface. We have successfully used egg laying tubes with this species to allow for the safe removal and incubation of eggs. We have also collected several fertile clutches laid under leaf litter at the bottom of the enclosure.

Natural Range: Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos are endemic to Tanzania.

History in the Hobby: Once abundant in the hobby, Kim Howell's Dwarf Geckos, much like their electric blue cousins, are not commonly available.

Links of Interest:

• Supreme Gecko care sheet - A care sheet by Supreme Gecko on the care of Lygodactylus kimhowelli

Still not sure if the Kim Howell's Dwarf Gecko from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!