Defining characteristics: 

• Diurnal but shy
• Very hardy
• Great beginner micro gecko
• Brilliantly colored males
• Small size = less expensive setup

Name: Gonatodes albogularis fuscus. Known as the yellow-headed gecko for their brilliantly colored yellow to orange head. This species is very hardy, making them a great beginner micro gecko, but they are also a shy species.

Recommended Enclosure Size: Adults should be kept alone or in pairs in a 8x8x12 glass enclosure or 12x12x12 enclosure. Because this species does not grow very large, upgrading adults to a larger enclosure is usually unnecessary. Coco fiber-based substrates or sand-soil substrates work well. A bioactive substrate can be made with BioBedding, springtails, and isopods. Keep substrate slightly moist. A layer of leaf litter should be added on top of the substrate. Hides should be provided; cork flats and similar items work well. Climbing materials like rocks, driftwood, cork bark, and manzanita branchescan be provided. Live plants are also a welcome addition.

Temperature: Keep yellow-headed geckos between 75-85 F. A low wattage heat pad or bulb can be used to provide a basking spot that does not exceed 90 F, but this is not required if stable temperatures are maintained. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and the basking spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer or temperature gun. Night temperatures should not fall below 65 F. UV light requirement debated; if used, provide plenty of shade in enclosure.

Humidity: Yellow-headed geckos enjoy a drier setup than tropical geckos and should be kept between 50-60% humidity. Plants can be added to provide humid microclimates. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Yellow-headed geckos should be lightly misted daily or every other day 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 after several hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

Size: Hatching out at only a little over an inch, yellow-headed geckos will only reach a little over 3 inches as adults!

Age: Yellow-headed geckos are at least 4 weeks old when sold by Josh’s Frogs. It is estimated that these geckos live for 10-20 years in captivity.

Feeding: Yellow-headed geckos sold by Josh’s Frogs are fed pinhead crickets and ⅛-inch crickets. These juveniles can also be occasionally offered extra small black soldier fly larvae, melanogaster fruit flies, and springtails. Adults should be fed a staple of  1/4-inch crickets,  but can also be offered black soldier fly larvae, melanogaster and hydei fruit flies, dwarf white isopods, and bean beetles. All feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements, and can be offered in a food dish.

Sexing: Yellow-headed geckos are sexually dimorphic and can be visually sexed. Once reaching around three months of age, males begin to lose their pattern and obtain a yellow to orange head and a gray body. Females retain their brown colors and spots.

Color/Pattern: Juveniles and females are brown to gray with light and dark brown spots. Males exhibit a yellow to orange head and a dark gray to blue-gray body.

Social Behavior: This species is best kept alone or in a single pair. Both males and females will fight with members of the same sex.

Breeding: A light brumation period in the winter or longer days in the summer will help incite breeding. Females lay single eggs every 3 weeks in a secure area, and will often make use of strategically placed egg-laying tubes. Eggs hatch within 60-120 days.

Natural Range: Yellow-headed geckos inhabit a large range of habitats. They are found in a large part of Central America as well as numerous islands, including Cuba, Jamaica, and Martinique. The original group from which our yellow-headed geckos originate are from Nicaragua.

History in the Hobby: Despite being not too difficult to keep and breed, captive bred individuals are not often readily available. We’re excited to make this micro gecko more popular and available!

Links of Interest:

Dwarf Geckos Care Sheet - An excellent resource on Gonatodes albogularis fuscus from the Dwarf Geckos website.

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