Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

🐢 1. What it looks like and basic characteristics

Size: Adults reach 7–9 inches (18–23 cm) in total length.

Body: They have a strongly rounded, sturdy tail and a robust body.

Skin and colors: The color is mostly brown, cream to sandy with darker stripes or patterns.

Eyes and eyelids: Like other geckonids of this subgenus Eublepharinae, Hemitheconyx has true movable eyelids, which gives them a more pronounced "facial expression" than many other geckos.

Toothed features: They do not have sticky disc toes like geckos that live on smooth surfaces - they are terrestrial, meaning they live mainly on or low to the ground.

Lifespan: With proper care, they usually live 15–20 years or more.

🏡 2. Origin and habitat in nature

The thick-tailed gecko comes from the dry savannas and semi-desert areas of West Africa, where it spends the day hidden under rocks, in rock crevices or burrows and comes out in the evening or at night to search for food.

In the wild, it prefers slightly damp shelters in drier areas - therefore, in captivity, it needs to be placed in moist shelters that help it with molting and hydration.

🧠 3. Nature and behavior
🐾 Temperament

Peaceful and tolerant: This gecko is generally very peaceful and slow, which makes it an excellent companion for beginners and advanced keepers.

Nocturnal / crepuscular: It is most active in the evening and at night when it searches for food.

Alert, not aggressive: It usually does not show aggressive behavior if you create a stable, safe space for it and handling is gentle.

🐾 Interaction with humans

Accustoming: Geckos can be quite tolerant of handling, but it is important to start letting them get used to the new space and smells on their own first.

Tail danger: Do not yank their tail - they may lose it as a defense mechanism when thrown away.

🏠 4. Terrarium and environment requirements
📏 Terrarium size and type

Juvenile: 10–15 gallon (≈40–60 l) may be enough for a young gecko.

Adult: 20–40 gallon (≈75–150 l) floor space is ideal, as geckos are terrestrial and need more horizontal space than height.

Tip: Terrariums with a front door are often better, as geckos are less stressed by handling from the front than being scooped up from above.

🌡️ Temperature

Warm side: about 31–33 °C (88–92 °F).

Cooler side: approx. 24–27 °C (75–80 °F).

Night temperatures: approx. 21–24 °C (70–75 °F).

Underfloor heating (UTH) with a thermostat is often used to regulate the temperature, which will heat the substrate more effectively than radiators, since the gecko is often on the ground.

💧 Humidity

Ambient humidity: approx. 50–70%.

Humid hide: provide a moist hide with moss or moist substrate — very important for molting.

🌿 Substrate and decor

Recommended:

Bioactive substrate (mix of soil, coconut fiber, sand) to support natural behavior.

Three hides: warm, cool and moist (for molting) hidden caves.

Creeping or low decorations and stainless stones.

🍽️ 5. Diet and Nutrition
🦗 Food

The thick-tailed gecko is an insectivore (insectivorous):

Live insects: crickets, dubia cockroaches, mealworm larvae and black aphid larvae.

Occasional soft larvae (e.g. silkworms) as a treated treat.

Vitamin supplements: insectivorous calcium powder and multivitamins to feed regularly.

🗓️ Feeding frequency

Jungle: daily.

Adults: every 2–3 days according to appetite.

💦 Water

Provide a shallow bowl of clean water that should be changed daily.

🩺 6. Health and common problems
🐍 Molting care

Lack of moisture during molting can lead to retention of old skin.

⚠️ Common Health Problems

Parasites: Internal and external can cause digestive problems or difficulty breathing.

Shedding problems: if humidity is not right or there are no good hiding places.

Bone disease: if there is a lack of calcium/vitamins, metabolic bone disease can occur.

🧬 7. Species and morphs

Although Hemitheconyx caudicinctus is the only species of this genus commonly sold, there are various color morphs and genetic variants in breeding:

Zulu morph: pronounced stripes and patterns.

Patternless Zulu: less pronounced or simplified patterns.

White Out morph: pronounced bright and contrasting colors, genetically dominant.

These morphs differ in patterns and colors, but the care requirements remain essentially the same.

⚖️ 8. Advantages and disadvantages of breeding
👍 Advantages

✔ Calm and tolerant nature — good for beginners.
✔ Smaller size — more suitable for home terrariums than some large lizards.
✔ Long lifespan: 15–20+ years.
✔ Relatively low maintenance: undemanding to light and conditions, but needs a stable environment.

👎 Cons

✘ They need specific humidity and higher temperatures than some other geckos, otherwise they can have health problems.
✘ Territorial behavior between individuals: keep separately; several can lead to stress or tail loss.
✘ Not exactly the best for complete beginners without preparation — it is necessary to prepare an environment with hiding places and humidity.