African fat-tailed geckos are gentle reptiles that are easily tamed. This species makes an excellent pet choice for children but should always be handled carefully!
Geckos require access to clean water in their environment at all times – even if they don’t drink from it directly! Geckos need access to this element of their environment in order to thrive!
Geckos do not possess a cecum to breakdown cellulose, and thus cannot consume fruits and vegetables.
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Crickets
African Fat-Tailed Geckos make great pets for people of all ages, and can make for easy caregiving companions. While much still needs to be learned about their wild lifestyles, these popular species thrive in captivity due to their tolerant personalities, gorgeous colors and unique morphs. If you are considering purchasing one of these beautiful reptiles as pets, make sure that reputable breeders offering healthy reptiles is present; best place for this may be at a reptile show or expo where multiple vendors present offering captive-bred reptiles from multiple breeders displaying captive-bred species available from them all.
Create an ideal habitat by including sand, shallow layer of moss mats or reptile-safe soil substrate as the substrates. Avoid thick substrates like crocks and logs which can hinder belly heat and cause health issues for geckos. Decor items are welcome; just ensure that they’re secure as geckos may tear them apart or dig underneath them! A proper habitat should include at least three hides – warm dry hide under heating pad; cool dark hide on opposite side of enclosure and humid hide containing sphagnum moss or coconut fiber that must be misted regularly!
Mealworms
Fat-tailed geckos are terrestrial lizards found throughout North America that feed on insects in the wild. Nocturnal and using large eyes, these predatory predators hunt by sight using their large eyes. Furthermore, they’re considered scavenger species so will also consume debris such as soil or debris left lying around.
Fat-tails have the ability to live up to 25 years when kept as pets in captivity and are relatively easy to tame and care for, making great companions for children. Unfortunately, however, their maintenance requirements can become costly over time if improper care is provided for.
Give your lizard access to fresh, clean water in a shallow bowl. Be sure to scrub it regularly with veterinary-grade disinfectant, to reduce disease.
Fat-tail lizards should be allowed to soak regularly if fed a dry diet, especially to prevent dehydration, which can be fatal for reptiles. In addition, they should always have access to a humid hide, such as moss matting or soil mixture specifically made for reptiles; thick substrate can block their digestive tract leading to impaction of their digestion.
Roaches
African fat-tailed geckos have quickly become one of the most beloved species within the reptile hobby. Due to their docility, beauty, and relatively easy care needs, African fat-tailed geckos make an excellent choice for both novice and expert reptile keepers alike. But before taking one home for yourself, make sure you understand all their needs thoroughly.
Keep your gecko’s habitat clean to protect the health of both yourself and your animal. Daily spot cleaning should be performed, while a thorough deep-clean every three months is advised for an African fat-tailed gecko as they can contract cryptosporidiosis parasite from unsanitary environments.
Give your geckos crickets, mealworms, superworms and silkworms as staple diet items; occasionally offer small frozen mice as treats. Insect prey should also be “dusted” with calcium powder and/or multivitamin powder such as Repashy CalciumPlus LoD to provide necessary vitamins and minerals – this process known as “dusting” should take place either before each feeding or once weekly to maximize health benefits.
Other Insects
African Fat Tail Geckos are relatively new additions to the pet market and are quickly gaining in popularity due to their easy care requirements and relatively short lifespan (15-20 years). AFT geckos can be purchased either online from breeders or at reptile shows or expos. When selecting your AFT gecko, it is recommended that you visit an established breeder directly.
Captive AFT geckos are insectivores and tend to favor crickets, waxworms, mealworms, fruit flies, moths and grasshoppers as a diet staple. Some may even enjoy the occasional pinkie mouse! For optimal nutrition it is advised that a variety of insects be offered regularly without becoming overwhelming; live insects are best, though frozen or canned foods must first be gut loaded (rehydrated) using Repashy Pie products to rehydrate them and dusted with low phosphorus/calcium powder before feeding them into their mouth.
