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By SarkkaS at 08/03/2008 - 06:46
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Mombasa Dwarf Gecko, White-headed Dwarf Gecko(Lygodactylus mombasicus)
Size and Weight
Adults up to around 38..42 mm SVL (generally a little less), hatchlings 12..14 mm SVL.
Geographical distribution
Kenya and Tanzania, Africa (distribution is not exactly known)
Specie Description
A small and active arboreal dwarf gecko from Kenya, L. mombasicus is still big on presence. A more rare species in captivity, which was recently bred in captivity in Finland for the first time and has previously been bred in captivity at least in Germany as well. Large, round eyes are full of whim and mystery, while courtship behavior is interesting and fun to watch. Background coloration is white with possible hints of yellowish-green tones, on top of which there are distinct black markings on the head and neck. From shoulder level towards the tail, the coloration becomes more blue-grayish with a smaller pattern. Underside is yellow-white. Color intensity correlates to stress and activity level.
Sexing
Males are larger than females and generally have a darker throat coloration. Males also exhibit hemipenal bulges at the root of the tail and have a visible row of preanal pores. In general, the preanal pores are the only sure way of determining sex.
Natural Habitat
Inhabits trees and bushes, usually a single male with one or two females. Has been shown to peacefully co-exist in nature with a closely related species, Lygodactylus picturatus.
Longevity
Exact information regarding longevity is not available, but numbers between a few years up to a decade have been reported. The species is rare in captivity and having CB individuals is even more rare, so during the next 5-10 years there should be a good amount of extra information available on these geckos.
Temperature
Day: 27..31 Celsius
Night: 19..23 Celsius
Food
Fruit flies, small mealworms, crickets, wax moth larvae, as well as fruit-based baby food, banana mush, etc. Vitamin supplementation along with calcium is recommended. No water dish is needed, since the geckos drink from drops of water that form when misting the vivarium.
Captive Environment
A tall vivarium is recommended, since the species is arboreal. For each inhabitant in the vivarium there should be a trunk or at least a large branch for climbing on and to ensure a good number of stress-free places to rest and bask. UV-lighting is more than highly recommended. Moisture levels should be moderate, with a light misting every 1 to 3 days. Minimum size for a pair should be around 40 x 40 x 60 cm, but larger is generally better. House only one male per vivarium, unless the vivarium is very large, such as 120 x 60 x 200 cm or more. Several females can be housed together with the male.
Breeding
No special action for breeding is required, if environmental variables are in good order. Copulation happens in a typical fashion for geckos, the male holds the female in place from the back of the neck and the pair stay in this fixed position for up to tens of minutes. The pair can even move in case something threatens them, while staying 'connected'. Eggs are laid a few weeks later into a small crevice, such as the upper sliding glass door track, etc. Females can store sperm for up to six months.
Incubation
Incubate the eggs in a moderately moist (60-80%) environment at 26 to 32 degrees Celsius. From experience, incubating at 27..28 degrees Celsius produces an incubation period of about 65 to 75 days. Exact numbers, again, are not known. Do not allow the eggs to get into direct contact with water. Once the eggs have been laid, they cannot be turned over, since that would drown the inhabitant of the egg.
Juveniles
These geckos can be raised singly or in groups, but size differences in groups must be monitored in order to prevent larger geckos from feeding on the smaller specimen. Hatchlings should be fed every day with small fruit flies and other comparably sized insects, and calcium- and vitamin-enriched fruit mush. After around 4-8 weeks the feeding schedule can be reduced to 3-5 times a week and after 16 weeks they can be fed 2-4 times a week. At around 3-5 months of age the size should have increased to about 60 mm of total length, with sexual dimorphism developing into visibility. Here's an image of a male specimen at about 3.5 months of age:
http://sarkkas.matelijat.net/Kuvat/Lygodactylus_mombasicus_sexing-200808...
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Syndicate
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side by side in the wild they tend to avoid each other. L. mombasicus
frequents house walls, L. picturatus frequents tree trunks. Juveniles of
both species tend to occupy bushes or small trees. Never saw either
adult male species with more than one female, always just a pair.
Watching their eating behavior it seemed that L. mombasicus had a
preference for ants as they would position themselves by an ant trail
and pick them off as the ants went past.
Wonder if they also need a wet/dry period as in the wild. Long rains
in May/June and short rains in Dec.
These are my personal observations in Diani Beach, south Kenyian
coast, south of Mombasa.
That site you were at is also a site B. Röll has observed, if I recall correctly. It is from those and other observations she wrote her book, Lygodactylus.
-Sale
-reptilegirl64
scroll down the page and read the bonus offer description.
Cape Yellow Head
scroll down the page and read the bonus offer description.
Cape Yellow Head
It has been a long time since L. mombasicus was imported and very few people have them remaining in their collections sadly.
Thank you for the info
cape yellow head
Thank you for the info
cape yellow head
Lygodactylus mombasicus - REPTILES UNIVERSE
Lygodactylus kimhowelli - REPTILES UNIVERSE