
Mourning Gecko

GENERAL INFO
Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris
Native Habitat: South Pacific Islands, Central and South America, and Hawaii
Lifespan: 8-10 years
Size: up to 4" in length

DIFFICULTY
Temperament: Shy, nervous, flighty
Ease of handling: They are tiny, very fast, and quite delicate.
Skill level: Beginner - Intermediate
Activity level: Cathemeral (active at irregular intervals both during day and night)

ENCLOSURE
A 12x12x18" enclosure can comfortably house a few adults, they are a communal species. Mourning geckos are arboreal, so the enclosure should prioritize vertical space over ground space.

ENVIRONMENT
Temperature: Basking spot should be around 27°C, with the cool end between 21-24°C.
Lighting: UVB is necessary for healthy mourning geckos.
Humidity: 60-70% with frequent misting. Mourning geckos drink water droplets from misting and will not drink from a bowl.
Substrate: Bioactive soil, coconut husk, coconut fiber.

ENRICHMENT
Plants, corkbark, brances, vines, and rocks should be provided to offer plenty of hiding places and room to explore. Bioactive enclosures are great for this species.

DIET
Fresh powdered gecko food such as Pangea or Repashy should be provided. They will also eat flightless fruit flies, small crickets, rice flour beetles, small black soldier fly larvae, and bean beetles.
A foster-based rescue in Southern Ontario