[thorrshamri]

I thought, even though I am not the best specialist with these geckos, that a short care sheet would be helpful as there is really no information for the captive care of these small geckos on the web.



Narudasia festiva, Methuen & Hewitt 1914

The genus Narudasia is monotypic and, oddly enough, related to Saharian geckos of the Quedenfeldtia genus from a phylogenic point of view. Nothing is known so far on how both genuses, who occupy territories distant from each other of several thousands of miles/kilometers, could be connected. The most likely hypothesis is that Narudasia were originally situated in the Sahara, then they migrated to their current area of distribution. They are endemic to South-central Namibia.

They are very small geckos, reaching a maximum of 65 mm total length, more often around 60, with a body length below 30 mm. The tail is slightly longer than the body. Tails are bright yellow to orange, though regenerated tails are shorter and dull grey. The back is dark grey with white blotches and a wavy, greyish transversal patten. The body is quite flat, as are their heads, with small rounded eyes and pointed snouts. Tails drop easily, do not handle them!

They are mostly nocturnal, though my own specimens are also active and feed at daytime too.

They spend quite a lot of time on the ground but are also rock-dwellers, they can climb fast on rocks and like crevices to hide.

A pair of these geckos does not require a lot of space. A 20x20x30 cm (8''x8''x12"") glass tank, with a front opening, will be perfect for 1:1 or 1:2.

I use slates and flat limestone rocks, placed vertically, and a thin layer of fine sand- half an inch (1cm) or so. A small, leafless "desert bush" provides an additional shelter and decoration.

No water dish is needed; instead, light sprayings 1-2 times a week are sufficient to keep them well hydrated and for sheds to be unproblematic.

Under half the surface of their tank, I have put a 25W heating cable, which gives off a gradient of 26°C (80°F) to 34°C (89°F) inside their tank. The heating is turned off at night, following a 12/12 hours routine.

As they do show some activity during the day, I use 5.0 (5%) UVB radiations 12 hours/day.

They have to be fed on pinhead crickets, fruitflies, small silverfishes and small (3-4 mm) red runner roaches, properly dusted with a good supplement: I use Miner-All I © on every feeding, and an occasional, small amount of powdered vitamins (NektonRep). Feeding occurs twice weekly for adults.

Females lay 2 hard-shelled eggs which are extremely fragile in rock cracks, about 3-4 mm in diameter. Incubating them in situ is the best way to deal with them. Juveniles are tiny (less than 20 mm full length) and are housed and fed exactly like adults.

© Hervé Saint Dizier/Thorr Geckos, 2012

[Elizabeth Freer]

Herve ~

This is one handsome gecko! Many thanks for taking the time from your life to author this care sheet for posterity!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Thanks Herve, it's always nice to have some care info for some of the less common species. Even if it's just basic information, as often even that can be hard to come by.

[svevs]

Hello Hervé,

even if I am fully focused on genus Gonatodes I appreciate very much your posted Narudasia festiva care sheet. Generally, it is hard to find any information about of this pretty rare Namibian genus.

I keep also three males of Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus in my breeding. Hence I would like to ask you if you know what is the approx altitude the Narudasia festiva lives in. Thank you.

With best regards,
Radim

[Geitje]

Herve,

There are several points that I can add for this species, but the main one being that Narudasia only lays one large calcareous egg/clutch.

In nature, their behavior and activity preferences are crepuscular (early morning and just before sunset). In captivity this is generally governed by their preferred temperature range (for activity) that can persuade the geckos to be more active during the day on colder days, and more crepuscular on the hotter days. I've never really noted much in the way of nocturnal activity, unless immediately after the lights shut off.

Incubating in situ is absolutely necessary as they are glued to the rocks and not possible to remove them without destroying them. The adults will not molest the juveniles, and I've had them hatch in multiple terrariums many times and never eaten. However, once I do spot a juvenile, I remove them and raise them individually, or together with other similar sized young, in small plastic containers.

Cool geckos....that's why I have them too

Jon

[thorrshamri]

Cheers Jon, you were the one I was thinking about when I made an allusion to "more experienced keepers"
Svevs: according to the distribution maps I have, this species lives in rather low altitudes- 0-800 m

[svevs]

Hello Hervé,

thanks for specifying the altitude range day gecko Narudasia festiva live in. If you would be in Hamm this March we could have a short talk about this very interesting gecko .

Regards,
Radim

[thorrshamri]

Originally Posted by svevs

Hello Hervé,

thanks for specifying the altitude range day gecko Narudasia festiva live in. If you would be in Hamm this March we could have a short talk about this very interesting gecko .

Regards,
Radim

I am not coming this time, I plan to have a table in September Thanks for your interest Radim!