Defining Characteristics:

• Medium semi-terrestrial gecko
• Nocturnal
• Active hunters
• Easy to keep and breed

Name: Hemidactylus triedrus, or the termite hill gecko, is a species of gecko found in South Asia. These geckos are nocturnal, and will spend time both on the ground and climbing. In the wild, they live in leaf litter as well as the lower trunks of trees. 

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: An 18x18x18 enclosure can house one or a pair of these geckos, though extra space will be utilized and appreciated by this nocturnal and active species.

Substrates like Coco Select or other coco fiber-based substrates work well. A subtropical bioactive setup is strongly recommended for this species.

Provide plenty of both floor-level hiding material in the form of cork bark or live oak bark, as well as vertical climbing material such as driftwood, manzanita, or other similar decor. A nice layer of leaf litter should also be added. The substrate should be slightly moist, especially underneath cork pieces and leaf litter, but dry spots should also be maintained in the enclosure, especially when breeding this species as they are reluctant to lay in substrate that is too wet.

Temperature (°F) & Lighting: During the day, Termite Hill Geckos should be kept at temperatures ranging from 75 to 80. A basking spot of around 85-90 should be present and can be accomplished with an appropriate overhead heat bulb.

UV lighting is strongly 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. UV lighting should be focused on their basking site and feature Ferguson zone 1 levels of UV radiation. Animals should also be provided opportunities to escape from UV exposure throughout the rest of their enclosure.

Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and the basking spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer or temperature gun.

A great basic lighting combo for this species is Zoo Med's Mini Combo Deep Dome Lamp Fixture with a nano halogen heat lamp & UVB tropical compact fluorescent bulb.

If you'd like to use a more advanced lighting setup, we highly recommend the VivTech Jungle Cover SurSun LED UVA/UVB Bulb (3 watt) in lieu of the compact fluorescent bulb linked previously, and the addition of a Josh's Frogs Green Gro LED light fixture. Make your life easier by plugging your lights into the Zilla 24/7 Digital Timer Power Center!

Humidity: Termite Hill Geckos require a moderate humidity of around 55-65%, though high ventilation should be maintained, with the enclosure being allowed to dry between mistings within a few hours. This species should be misted every other day to provide humidity and water droplets on the enclosure walls. Leaf litter and other cage items from which the geckos can drink should be provided. A shallow water dish can be added but is not necessary with consistent misting. Live plants will help create humid microclimates within the enclosure.

Both temperature and humidity should be monitored with a digital thermometer/hygrometer.

Size: Adults can reach a length of 6 to 6.5 inches from tip of snout to tip of tail. Hatchlings are about 1.5 inches.

Age: Termite Hill Geckos are at least 6 weeks old when sold by Josh’s Frogs, at which time they are well established. It is estimated that these geckos live for up to 10 years in captivity.

Feeding: We provide all of the feeder bugs you will need! A staple of crickets and dubia works best, with other feeder insects (waxworms, mealworms, black soldier fly larvae, etc..) being offered as occasional treats. Termite Hill Geckos can handle insect feeders ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 inches, 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. If provided proper UV lighting, we recommend Repashy Calcium Plus LoD, otherwise, Calcium Plus should be offered to account for the lack of natural Vitamin D3 creation.

Sexing: Termite Hill Geckos are easily sexed, as males exhibit a conspicuous bulge at the base of the tail. In addition, males have more robustly shaped heads and are considerably larger overall than females.

They can be reliably sexed as young as 4 months old, but are not sexed when sold by Josh’s Frogs.

Color/Pattern: Termite Hill Geckos are a chocolate-brown with black and white dots forming bands, and are small enough to fit into your palm.

Social Behavior: These geckos are nocturnal, and will spend time both on the ground and climbing. In the wild, they live in leaf litter as well as the lower trunks of trees.

This species can be housed alone or as a pair. Males should never be housed together as they are very territorial.

These are a fast moving, nervous, and stress-prone species. Handling should be kept to a minimum.

Breeding: Winter brumation coupled with a dry season is desirable for breeding. Adult females should be provided a consistent food source, and should also be offered a source of readily available calcium within their enclosure.

The best way to monitor the health of an actively breeding female is by tail size; a female with a plump tail is healthy, and a female with a thin tail should be removed from the enclosure and be given time to recuperate.

Females will bury their eggs in the substrate once every three to four weeks or so. Eggs are hard shelled and very delicate, and great care should be taken if they are removed from the enclosure for incubation. Drier spots in the substrate must be provided as females will not lay eggs in substrates that are too wet, which can cause a female to become egg bound.

Natural Range: These geckos are found throughout South Asia, but are primarily endemic to the south-center region of India. The climates they are exposed to range from semi-arid to subtropical biotopes.

Once thought to also inhabit the island of Sri Lanka, these Sri Lankan natives have recently attained species status as Hemidactylus lanke, and are no longer considered the same species as H. triedrus. They are hardy generalists who have successfully inhabited a large number of habitats!

History in the Hobby: Termite Hill Geckos are rarely offered, and we’re very excited to have the opportunity to breed them and make captive bred Termite Hill Geckos more accessible in the hobby!

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