African fat-tailed geckos are predominantly nocturnal animals, conserving energy during the day by sleeping beneath bark or rocks and hunting at night for insects such as crickets and mealworms.
Regenerating their tails if they become lost is also possible, and will grow out more rounded and similar to their head shape.
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Crickets
African fat-tailed geckos are solitary animals that closely resemble leopard geckos in appearance and lifestyle. Their wide tail is used for storage of fat and to deter predators; additionally, its use serves to regulate temperature levels to help prevent overheating.
Captive lizards have an estimated lifespan of 25 years in captivity. Their diet primarily consists of crickets and larval worms such as mealworms, wax worms and roach nymphs; silkworms, pinkie mice and hornworms may also be consumed; for optimal nutritional values it is wise to dust these prey items with additional calcium, multivitamins and D3 supplements prior to feeding them to them.
This species hails from West Africa, from Senegal to Cameroon. Their preferred habitat includes dry Sahel grasslands and rocky crevices in Sahel grasslands. Nocturnal, they conserve energy during the day by sleeping under bark or rocks or hiding. Males make clicking noises to attract females for mating.
Mealworms
Captive African fat-tail geckos should be fed mealworms, which can easily be found at most pet shops. Mealworms contain ample nutrition and can even be dusted with calcium powder for additional nutritional support or gut loaded for increased value.
Gut loading involves providing mealworms with high-quality food for about 24 hours prior to offering them to lizards, in order to give their digestive systems ample time to process and break down all the vitamins and minerals effectively. This process allows the lizards’ bodies to take in all they require while providing essential vitamins and minerals from food sources such as their prey.
At times of illness or runny waste in your lizard’s enclosure, it is wise to consult your exotic vet about its diet. They can assist with creating a tailored plan tailored specifically for each gecko. Furthermore, your exotic vet may also give helpful tips regarding environment and any potential health concerns (like mouth rot or respiratory infections). Ultimately it is always a good idea to talk with them immediately about any concerns related to runny waste, so always contact a vet as soon as possible.
Beetles
Fat-tailed geckos have the ability to self-amputate (autotomize) their tails if they feel threatened by predators. This allows them to avoid injury as well as store energy for energy balance purposes; their tail will regenerate within weeks.
Geckoes can also benefit from eating beetles that are distantly related to grasshoppers and widely available worldwide. Beetles contain high amounts of protein and provide variety in your gecko’s diet. If possible, gut load these insects prior to giving them to your gecko by dusting them with calcium/vitamin powder before feeding them back out to them.
African fat-tailed geckos in their natural environment experience both wet and dry seasons with fluctuating humidity levels. A digital probe hygrometer can be used to monitor humidity levels in your terrarium and misting every morning and evening during wet season; ensure their hideout has moist substrate or sphagnum moss as insulation for extra humidity control.
Fruits
African Fat-tailed geckos can go days or even weeks without eating due to their ability to store nutrients in their tails, so providing food daily for optimal nutrition.
One way of providing them with nutrition is to feed them crickets, mealworms and roaches from pet stores or breeding them yourself if possible. You should make sure to gut load these insects to increase their nutrient value.
Your gecko will appreciate small pieces of fruit such as berries, melons and mango. These foods contain plenty of vitamins and minerals which will contribute to their health, just be mindful that giving too many pieces can cause digestive issues for them. It’s also wise to provide fresh water sources so your gecko always has access to water when thirsty!
