Mourning Gecko: Your Fascinating Bio-Active Companion

Discover the Enchanting World of Mourning Geckos

These captivating reptiles, also known as common smooth-scaled geckos, are a delightful species with intriguing habits. Let’s explore why they’re a favourite among reptile enthusiasts and how to provide them with the best care.

Parthenogenetic Reproduction

Mourning geckos are unique—they reproduce asexually without the need for males. Females lay fertile eggs, resulting in tiny little clones. This fascinating process makes them stand out in the reptile world.

Appearance and Colours

• Cryptic Camouflage: In the wild, mourning geckos blend into their surroundings with cryptic colouring. Their bodies range from dark to light tan, adorned with dark brown or black markings on the back.
• Colour Modulation: These geckos can adjust their colour by firing up or down, adapting to different lighting conditions throughout the day.
• Classic Gecko Features: Expect a triangular head, a prominent tail, and sticky toe pads for climbing.

Size and Lifespan

• Compact Dimensions: Fully grown, mourning geckos measure approximately 10cm. Juveniles hatch at a mere 3cm!
• Space-Friendly: Their small size makes them ideal for reptile enthusiasts with limited space.
• Lifespan: With proper care, they can live up to ten years, though some exceptional cases reach 15 years.

Bio-Active Vivarium Delight

Where mourning geckos truly shine is in heavily planted bio-active vivariums. Here’s why:

• Darting and Display: These geckos dart in and out of plants, call to each other, and provide endless entertainment.
• High Humidity: They thrive in environments with high humidity, and lush plants offer shelter and climbing structures.
• Temperature and Lighting: Maintain a daytime temperature range of 26-29°C with a gradient for cooling. Basking lights help regulate warmth.
• UVB Lighting: They are a Fergusson zone 1/2 species, so provide a UVI of 1.1 to 3.0 in the basking area.