For those searching for an exotic pet, the fat tailed gecko is an ideal option. They can live up to 25 years in captivity and require minimal upkeep!
African fat-tailed geckos are primarily insectivores, feeding on crickets, mealworms and waxworms. Gut loading these insects is essential as well as dusting them with a calcium/multivitamin supplement every other feeding.
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Crickets
Crickets are a staple food for African fat tail geckos. They need to be fed small insects daily as their metabolism is high. Mealworms can also be fed, but mealworms tend not to be as popular due to their high fat content.
Crickets in the wild undergo several molts as they develop from nymph to adulthood. This causes their appearance to vary significantly between nymphs and adults.
Female crickets lay their eggs in moist soil by inserting their ovipositor into the ground. Over their lifetime, a female cricket may lay up to 400 eggs.
When crickets hatch, they resemble miniature versions of adult insects. Through several molts, these juvenile crickets grow until they reach full adult size – this process is known as complete metamorphosis.
Mealworms
Mealworms make an ideal food choice for fat tailed geckos as they’re primarily insectivorous. Not only that, but mealworms also offer high levels of protein that are relatively easy to obtain.
African fat-tailed geckos feed on insects found in their habitat, such as crickets, worms, beetles and cockroaches. They may also be introduced to other types of insects if vet approved by a veterinarian.
As a general guideline, feed your gecko crickets 3 or 4 times a week and mealworms 1 or 2 times per day. Gut load all insects before giving them to your gecko and dust them with reptile calcium powder after every feeding.
At all times, make sure your fat-tailed gecko has access to a shallow bowl of clean water – especially during hot weather. Doing this will prevent them from licking their eyes and throats which could lead to infections.
Mealworm Pellets
African fat tail geckos are small, easy-to-care for pet geckos commonly found in West Africa’s savannah habitat and rocky hillsides. They’re distant cousins to leopard geckos and tend to be docile, quiet creatures with an adorable “smile” due to their jaw shape.
Mealworm pellets, which primarily feed on insects, make an ideal treat for your fat tail gecko. Not only are they high in protein and energy, but can be fed using either a suet pellet feeder or ground feeder tray.
Fat tail geckos typically don’t need to be fed very often, due to their low fat content. If your fat tail gecko appears overweight, however, this could indicate that you should reduce its food consumption or increase water intake.
African fat tail geckos prefer terrariums that replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. They prefer a semi-moist environment with dry areas for foraging, and soil as the preferred substrate.
Fish
Fish have been an integral part of human culture for millennia. People around the world hunt them in wild fisheries or raise them in captivity in ponds or tanks.
They provide food to a range of animals such as mammals, birds and amphibians. As such, they have become popular pets and featured in aquaria.
Fat tailed geckos are strictly nocturnal creatures. They hide under a variety of cover at night to forage for food.
Their diet mainly consists of insects, but they will occasionally consume other small creatures like frozen mice or vegetables. To guarantee they get all of the essential nutrients, “gut loading” them with high-quality nutrient food like spirulina is an effective strategy.
They prefer a warm, humid environment and should be kept in an aquarium. Aquarium-bound species can live for an incredibly long time in captivity – up to 10 or 25 years!
