Defining Characteristics:

• Small, nocturnal, terrestrial
• Unique textured scales
• Beautiful red-orange colors
• Easy to keep

Name: Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus. The rough banded knob-tailed gecko, so named for its rough textured scales, bands, and characteristic knob tail. 

Recommended Enclosure Size: Juveniles or a single adult can be kept in a 12x12x12 enclosure, but adult pairs or trios should be provided with at least an 18x18x12 enclosure. Males should never be housed together. 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! Numerous hides should be provided; slate, cork flats, live oak, 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: Keep rough banded knob-tailed geckos between 75-85 F. Provide a basking spot of around 90 F maintained with an undertank heater or an appropriate overhead basking bulb. Be sure to use a thermostat to prevent overheating. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and the basking spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer. Night temperatures should not fall below 65 F. UV light is not required for this nocturnal species.

Humidity: Keep knob-tailed geckos at 30-40% humidity. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. A humid hide is recommended for this species to provide a humid microclimate. Lightly mist these geckos two or three times 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 within a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

Size: Rough banded knob-tailed geckos can reach around 4.5 inches from head to tail, but are typically between 1-2 inches when they are sold as young juveniles.

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 4 weeks old.

Feeding: Rough banded knob-tailed 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 ¼-inch crickets or dubia roaches. These juveniles can also be occasionally offered small to medium black soldier fly larvae and small mealworms. Adults should be fed a staple of 1/2-inch crickets or dubia roaches and can be offered other feeder insects such as black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and, as an occasional treat, waxworms, silkworms, or butterworms. All feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements, and can be offered in a food dish.

Sexing: Adult male rough banded knob-tailed geckos exhibit a bulge at the base of the tail.

Color/Pattern: Rough-banded knob=tailed geckos are often red-orange to orange in color with dark brown to black 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 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 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: Rough banded knob-tailed geckos are endemic to the deserts of western Australia!

 

History in the Hobby: Rough banded knob-tailed lizards are well established in the hobby though not always commonly available. 

Links of Interest:

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

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