Defining Characteristics:

• Unique desert species
• Nocturnal
• Large toe pads for adept climbing!
• Very fast and active!!
• Beautiful desert colors

Name: Ptyodactylus ragazzii. Named the fan-footed gecko for its conspicuously large toe pads, which allows it to scale relatively smooth rock surfaces.

Recommended Enclosure Size: A 12x12x18 glass enclosure will house a pair of fan-footed gecko adults, although full grown adults are active and will appreciate at least an 18x18x24 enclosure. Keep this species solo or as a single pair. Sand works well as a substrate. 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! Vertical hides should be provided; cork tubes or cholla wood work very well for this species as both hides and climbing material. These active climbers will take full advantage of rocks, driftwood, manzanita branches, cork bark, and other climbing material. Though we have never observed them digging, we recommend ensuring that any heavy items are supported by the bottom of the enclosure and not by the substrate. Note: this is an extremely fast species: take caution when doing anything that disturbs them during the day, or while they are out at night!

Temperature: Keep fan-footed geckos at 75-85 F. Use a basking bulb to provide a basking spot of around 90 F. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and hot spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer. Night temperatures can safely drop down to 68 F. 

Humidity: Keep fan-footed geckos at 40-50% humidity. A humid hide can be provided to create a humid microclimate; a cork tube or cholla wood with moist sphagnum placed at the bottom works well. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Fan-footed should be misted around three times a week to 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 within a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

Size: Fan-footed geckos hatch out at a little over an inch. Adults reach around 6-7 inches from head to tail.

Age: Fan-footed geckos sold by Josh’s Frogs are at least 4 weeks old. It’s estimated that this species can live up to 10-15 years in captivity.

Feeding: Fan-footed geckos are insectivores; at Josh’s Frogs, we offer all of the feeder insects you’ll need to properly feed them! Juveniles for sale are large enough to eat ¼” crickets or dubia roaches. Adults should be fed a staple of 1/2" crickets or dubia roaches, with black soldier fly larvae, waxworms, butterworms, and hornworms making good occasional treats. Mealworms can also be offered to full grown adults. All feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements. We’ve had success providing certain feeders, like dubia roaches and mealworms, in mounted feeding cups.

Sexing: Male fan-footed geckos have a hemipenal bulge at the base of the tail. Because of their age and the lack of any distinguishable features at their young age, individuals sold by Josh’s Frogs are not sexed.

Color/Pattern: Fan-footed geckos are a mix of beige to orange colors in a mottled pattern around their body.

Social Behavior: Keep fan-footed geckos alone or as a single pair. Males can often be heard vocalizing  with clicks at night.

Breeding: A brumation period in the winter (down to around 70 degrees) or longer days in the summer will help incite breeding. Females will glue a pair of eggs to a surface once every 3 weeks during the breeding season, up to a total of around 5-6 clutches. Once glued, eggs cannot be removed and should be allowed to either incubate in the enclosure, or the item on which the eggs are glued can be removed and incubated in a separate enclosure. Cannibalism can occur in this species, so hatchlings should be removed as soon as possible and reared separately.

Natural Range: Fan-footed geckos are found in northern Africa, from southern Algeria to Egypt.

History in the Hobby: Fan-footed geckos are fairly uncommon in the hobby, and are often brought in as wild-caught imports. 

Links of Interest:

Reptiles Magazine article: Reptiles Magazine article on breeding fan-footed geckos

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