Defining characteristics:

• Beautiful colors
• Nocturnal, terrestrial gecko
• Hardy and easy to care for
• Unique, uncommon cave gecko

Name: Goniurosaurus yamashinae. Known as the Kume cave gecko. They are found on the tiny island of Kuma-Jima near Okinawa. 

Recommended Enclosure Size: Juveniles can be kept in a 5 gallon enclosure or 12x12x12 enclosure. Adults should be provided with at least a 10 gallon enclosure or an 18x18x12 glass enclosure. Coco-fiber based substrates like Coco Select work well for this species. BioBedding along with live plants, isopods, and springtails can be used to create a bioactive setup. Keep substrate moist but not wet, and allow dry spots to persist in the enclosure.

Temperature: Kume cave geckos prefer temperatures in the mid 70's and should never be kept over 82 degrees. Ambient temperatures should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and care should be taken not to let ambient temperatures get too warm. Nighttime temperatures can fall down to 68 F. UVB is not required for this nocturnal species. 

Humidity: Humidity is key with kume cave geckos.  Keep these geckos at between 65-80% humidity. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. A shallow water dish is recommended but not required with regular misting. The enclosure should be misted at least every other day to maintain elevated humidity and provide dew from which the geckos can drink.

Size: Kume cave geckos reach around 6 ½  to 7 inches as adults.

Age: Provided proper husbandry, it is estimated that kume cave geckos can live up to 10 years in captivity. Juveniles sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 6 weeks old, at which time they are well established. Due to age, they aren’t sexable when sold.

Feeding: Kume cave geckos are insectivores and will thrive on a varied diet of feeder insects. Hatchlings should be fed  a staple of ⅛- to ¼-inch crickets or dubia roaches, which should be provided in a feeding dish. Adults can handle ⅜- to ½-inch crickets and roaches. Waxworms, butterworms, and small hornworms make excellent treats, but should only be offered occasionally. Feeder insects should be gut loaded and dusted with a calcium and multivitamin supplement. 

Sexing: Kume cave geckos are easy to sex as males will exhibit conspicuous hemipenal bulges at the base of their tail. 

Color/Pattern: Kume cave gecko has a lean body with a black background color and golden striped bands and golden yellow eyes. This is the only cave gecko not to have red eyes. 

Social Behavior: We’ve had the most success keeping a group of females together and occasionally temporarily introducing the male. A large enough setup can probably hold a male with one to a few females, as with most Goniurosaurus species. 

Breeding: Breeding is fairly easy. Mating happens in the spring. Males can be kept separate or together with the female. The female places her eggs in the substrate. She will lay 2 eggs once every 3-4 weeks. Eggs can be removed and incubated at temperatures around 77-80 F. Eggs will hatch after around 2-3 months depending on incubation temperature.

Natural Range: Found on the tiny island of Kuma-Jima near Okinawa. These geckos live in large crevices between rock structures, usually near small streams.

History in the Hobby: Kume cave geckos are not commonly available in the reptile hobby, but we’re very excited to be producing these and a number of other Goniurosaurus species!

Links of Interest: Supreme Gecko - Goniurosaurus yamashinae

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