[Brandon Parry]

Pachydactylus tigrinus



DESCRIPTION
Small species with a flattened body covered with random black and white spot markings on the head, body and limbs. Pattern and color varies by locale. Body is a gray brownish color with the tail color being a purplish brown. Has a snout to vent length of roughly 2 inches. Females tend to be slightly larger than males.

DISTRIBUTION
Rock living species, finds shelter in granite and sandstone outcroppings. Mainly found in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Mozambique.

COMMON NAMES
African tiger gecko, Thick toed tiger gecko

DIET
Diet mainly consists of various insects and invertebrates. In captivity crickets make up the main source of diet.

CAPTIVE CARE AND HOUSING
Adults or pairs can be housed in a 5 gallon terrarium, this species is arboreal and can climb glass but is mainly found on the floor wedged into crevices. Sand is used as a substrate and slate, granite, or any other flat type of rock will work well. Cage furniture should be arranged so the species can seek shelter and feel secure. Stacking slate works well just be sure to stack them securely to prevent the animal from possible getting crushed. The terrarium should be heated via an under tank heater or an incandescent bulb, ambient air temp should be in the high 80's with a hot spot nearing the 100's. Feeding should take place nightly and water can be supplied via misting roughly twice a week. This species lives on a savannah desert so they should be kept dry, arid and warm.

BREEDING
Tigrinus are very prolific and will breed with out much effort, cooling will undoubtedly help in breeding but is not 100% necessary. Eggs are buried into the sand, once they are found place them in a deli cup filled with sand and incubate them at 80-90 degrees. Higher temps should generate a greater male ratio. If incubated correctly eggs should hatch in roughly 50-65 days. Hatchlings can be kept in a similar manner as adults

Brandon Parry 2006

[Lizardman]

Thanks for the nice care sheet.
This was just what I was looking for!

/Niclas

[GeckoFiend]

Thanks, I'm almost finished w/ the cage for mine. Now all I need is a male.

[hofud]

Two additions:
-males chirp if there is a felmale in his tank. Their voice is soft so not that easy to recognize.
-females has amphigonia retardata ability therefore if you remove male, females can lay eggs year around thus not recommended keeping male and female togehter at all.

[Elizabeth Freer]

In my experience with Pachydactylus tigrinus incubation temps need to be in the upper 80s F in order to get male offspring!!!

Jurassic Playsand by the Sandman in Utah is an ideal substrate for them.

[Elizabeth Freer]

Originally Posted by GeckoFiend

Thanks, I'm almost finished w/ the cage for mine. Now all I need is a male.

Sometimes male tigers are difficult to find. Have you a source lined up?