Ashy gecko

Sphaerodactylus elegans

Sphaerodactylus elegans is a species in the genus Sphaerodactylus and belongs to the family of the Gecko Sphaerodactylidae.

Occurrence

The original habitat is in Cuba and Hispaniola, in the southern United States, the species has been introduced.

Appearance

Sphaerodactylus elegans has a red- brown color with meandering lines on the body and a tapered head with moving eyes isolated. Adult individuals are about 6-7 inches tall. On her feet Sphaerodactylus elegans has both claws and the typical geckos spatulae ( suckers ), with whom he himself vertically and can move horizontally upside down on smooth surfaces even.

Subspecies

• Sphaerodactylus elegans elegans (Cuba)
• Sphaerodactylus elegans punctatissimus ( Hispaniola )

Attitude

Terrarium

Sphaerodactylus elegans can be kept as a terrarium. The minimum dimensions of the enclosure are 25x40x30 (L / W / H in cm). For welfare, the terrarium should be at least 60 cm long and 50 cm wide. The height may be 50 cm or more.

Facility

The substrate should consist of a sand - soil mixture, the rear and side walls can be clad with a natural material such as cork. Other possible furnishings are cork tubes, aquarium roots, stones or dried leaves.

Plant

Suitable plants are, for example, Bromeliads, orchids or even vines. The planting should be inspired by the tropical habitat of the animals and offer this retreat.

Lighting, temperature, humidity

In the terrarium should reign a temperature of 24 ° to 27 ° C in summer. The lighting time is in the summer 12 hours. In winter, the temperature should be reduced by about 2-3 ° C (winter night temperature: 18 ° C) and the lighting is made for 10 hours. The humidity is about 70 %. To achieve this, is sprayed short daily. As lighting serve one or two fluorescent tubes as well as a spot lamps for the basking site.

Nutrition

The animals feed on isopods and small insects ( crickets, Ofenschwänzchen, flying, etc. ).