[Emilylovesherps]

Ethan A. is going to make fun of this post, I can tell.

I just wanted to ask a few Pictus owners for tips, as I'm considering buying a pair of Paroedura picta. I have reduced my collection this year, and I was thinking of another small and easy breeding project to try in 2010. From what I can tell, husbandry on these guys isn't so difficult. I've found some info on husbandry, but what's everyone's favorite substrate? What temps should I keep in a tank for them, and what's everyone's recommendation on tank size for 1.1? What incubation temps are best for eggs, and are they temp sexed? Finally, although these guys are from Madagascar, can anyone tell me the exact region they are from (just curious)?

Thanks picta lovers!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Now why on earth would I make fun of this post goofball? Picta are great, easy to care for, and personable geckos. Do be aware that they breed like mice. I don't keep them any more. But when I did, I kept them on a peat/sand mix with a little cypress mulch sprinkled on top for some texture. Some bamboo, corkbark, and a small plant or two for them to climb around on. They're not arboreal, but they will climb around on branches, etc. Low to mid 80's during the day. Down as low as mid 60's at night. They occur in dry forests such as the Tsingy Forest in Ankarana. You can keep 1.1 in as small as a ten gallon. But I'm not one to use minimal size guidelines. Bigger is better.

[Emilylovesherps]

How about incubation temps and humidity ranges for the eggs? I talked to the breeder today, and he says they have hard shelled eggs. He also talked me into 1.2 instead of 1.1-good salesman, lol.

[rcobourn]

Originally Posted by Emilylovesherps

How about incubation temps and humidity ranges for the eggs? I talked to the breeder today, and he says they have hard shelled eggs. He also talked me into 1.2 instead of 1.1-good salesman, lol.

Good call on the 1.2. Females get overstressed in 1.1 pictus parings, in my experience. 85degF on slightly moist vermiculite, decent ventilation, has worked well for me. I now have more pictus than I can handle.

Greetings from Arizona.

[Angelicka]

We mist the tank every day to keep the humidity level up. We have a 1.2 group, but they are not quite to breeding size/age yet. From what I understand the eggs are very fragile so move them with a spoon to the incubation medium. Don't use your fingers. Looks like we will be having our first experiences with them about the same time. The other thing the breeder I got them from told me is that it is good to let the females have a cooling off period for a while each year so you may want to have a separate place to house the male for a month or two. I'm sure there are other breeders on here who can give an educated opinion on that as well.

[Emilylovesherps]

Great! Thanks for your help. Does this cooling off period mean to drop temps or just separate them to replenish nutrients? I live in South Florida, so the humidity is really easy to keep up. I guess if they like humidity, plantings such as pothos and bromeliads are a good idea? I was going to make a nice planted wall in the tank for them to play on. One more question-what tank size is optimum? I have lots of empties in storage. I don't want them to get lost in a 40 long, but Ethan's right, I don't want them to be crowded, either. I also have 10's, a 15 tall, and a 20 long.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I'd use at least the 20. They can grow as big as 8 inches (although usually less). So the 20 is probably a good start. You can always go up a size if you decide to later.

[Emilylovesherps]

Didn't wait too long, did I? Here's the pics:
Male

Females

[Riverside Reptiles]

They look really nice. Do you know how old they are?