Paroedura picta - Geckos Unlimited

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Paroedura picta

Paroedura picta

Gecko Care Sheet

By GeckoMan Roth at 04/15/2009 - 15:08

Ocelot or Panther Gecko(Paroedura picta)

Size and Weight

Size can vary from four to six inches from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail, however, some specimens can reach eight inches in length in optimum conditions. Overall it is a rather small gecko.

Geographical distribution

Paroedura picta is endemic to the island country of Madagascar. This means that they are found nowhere else in the world (other than in captivity). These geckos prefer scrub brushes, and dry forests. Even though they are a ground gecko, they do have the ability to climb smaller bushes, possessing the characteristic lamellae on their toes, as I have seen for myself.

Specie Description

Panther Geckos are a smaller specie of gecko from the island of Madagascar. The average size is from four to six inches in length, with some more well cared for individuals pushing eight inches. They are usually dark brown with beautiful blotches of cream white and tan markings on their backs. They are known to be very entertaining and very personable little critters.

Sexing

Sexing is a no brainer. At a very early age in life, you can tell whether it is a male or female. Males will show a bulbous bump at the base of the tail, around the cloaca region of course. Females simply lack this obvious feature.

Natural Habitat

These geckos, as stated in the geographical field, are naturally ground geckos, but can climb as well. They prefer dryer areas, like scrub bush and dry forests. A good example of a dry forest would be the Tsingy Forest in Ankarana, Madagascar. Here, they are protected from the outside world, away from the devastating deforestation on Madagascar. They are also nocturnal, meaning they hunt during the night hours, and rest in the day hours.

Longevity

Overall, P. picta is a pretty hardy gecko. They can probably reach 10-15 years if well cared for.

Temperature

Even though Madagascar is a warm place, it is only because of humidity. These geckos can easily survive a temperature drop to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not go over 89 degrees Fahrenheit with this species, because this temperature would be detrimental and they would definitely get stressed.

Food

The Panther Gecko is truly insectivorous. Feed them a staple diet of crickets, with mealworms occasionally given, and waxworms used sparingly. The reason waxworms should not be a staple is because its lack of nutritional value. Dust insects once or twice a week with vitamin and calcium dust to ensure healthy bone growth and a healthy specimen.

Captive Environment

These geckos are very easy to house. I have mine in a ten gallon long tank, with a hide on both the warm and cool side. Also, provide them with a couple of what I call "Ghetto Rocks", so that your little friend can get some assistance while he sloughs off his shedding skin. Use either Jungle bark or all natural sand as a substrate. Do not buy anything other than all natural sand, because otherwise you may end up with an impaction problem.

Breeding

I have not messed with breeding on the sole fact that they are such prolific breeders, and females can even die from, lets say it together, having sex and babies. So, instead, here is an exclusive breeding care sheet link.
http://www.gekkota.com/html/paroedura_picta.html

Incubation

n/a

Juveniles

n/a

by GeckoMan Roth on Wed, 04/15/2009 - 17:51

i second justin's comment. if you really want to make yourself feel smart, write your own freakin sheet. then, if you really want to, ask other people on the site who's is better. i guarantee it'll be mine, because i don't do the stupid things you do. i don't want you to post anything else on this care sheet.

by crested_geckos-rule on Sat, 07/11/2009 - 21:22

ive been planing on getting one. they look like danger, but not as the tokay gecko.

by lexx on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 18:25

wild caught's can be nasty but most wild caught geckos are, try and find a breeder.

by iloveyou on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 09:49

that is the cutest gecko. where did you get your gecko from!!!!!!!!

by geckoling on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 00:35

it'd be nice to know the temps preferred by the guys. For sure you aren't suggesting keeping them at 65? maybe day temps in mid-high 70's and night temps in low 70's 60's?

by geckoraptor on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 20:22

awesome

by Tyrannosaurus on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 07:45

They recently got one of those at my local petsmart.

by herpluvr on Sat, 01/09/2010 - 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrannosaurus

They recently got one of those at my local petsmart.

Be careful a lot of them at petsmart are wild- caught. I've heard of stories of them attacking employees when they were trying to handle them. They're really fast too.

by MalUK on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 23:56

I keep several Pictus geckos and have succesfully bred them. The care sheet is very good but personally I would avoid sand as substrate. I use eco earth or similar for adults and paper towel for hatchlings. Mine tolerate a warm end temp of 85F with a temp gradient to 65/70F at the cool end. I dont alter temps at night and my reproom is maintained at around 70F. They are a fast little gecko and will take any opportunity to escape. They breed like rabbits and the main problem is stopping them from breeding. (the female will continue to lay eggs many months after mating) The male should not be kept in the tank with females other than for mating introductions. The breeding female needs good nutritional support and supplimentation. As they lay a large number of clutches (2 small hard shelled eggs per clutch) calcium is vital. Many females have died during breeding through calcium loss. They are a very under rated little gecko but seem to be gaining a bit of popularity in the UK. They are more suited to being a display reptile rather than one for 'petting'. Their simple and prolific breeding in captivity really does away for any need to obtain w/c specimens.

Can I also take this opportunity to say hi to everyone. I hope to be visiting this forum a little more often.

by Riverside Reptiles on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 15:32

Sand is definitely not a good substrate for picta. They don't live on sand in nature. Eco-earth, coco bark, cypress mulch, peat, etc are much better and more natural choices.

by jkat12 on Thu, 08/12/2010 - 23:26

im getting a new gecko(ocelot).+ i think that they are really cute

by carl_can on Tue, 11/30/2010 - 10:42

Hi everyone, newbie here.

Just like to say don't get them to fade away, can be the last time u'll see it! Not so nervous and jumper like Phelsuma, but at least a fast and nice gecko

Thanks!

by luvnmia on Sat, 12/04/2010 - 20:20

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site. I'm actually a rather new owner of a pictus gecko (since August.) I think my little one is sick. He hasn't eaten for about 4-5 days. Before that, we had been feeding him wrong and he was deficient in calcium. I believe we have that issue solved (thankfully) but, now he won't eat anything at all (have tried his favorite: crickets and also mealworms) It also looks like the mealworm (that he ate last) is still inside him and balled up in his stomach near his tail. We soaked him in warm water to see if that would get him to poop (as recommended by PetSmart) but, as of now (about an hour later) he has yet to do anything. Has anyone else had this problem? Please help. I don't want him to starve!
Thanks!

by tsiconquest88 on Mon, 01/03/2011 - 17:42

wow no one knows how to help that lil guy? how is he? its been a month since your post!!!

by Piratepete on Sun, 01/23/2011 - 23:33

Need advice. Should I buy a leopard gecko or panther gecko? Would love feedback

by carl_can on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 11:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piratepete

Need advice. Should I buy a leopard gecko or panther gecko? Would love feedback

They all basically have the same needs, but the leopard gecko looks better :P they dont really smell but if you want to put them outside it depends where you live, because theyre cold-blooded and if you live in a colder climate you can have them but they need to be under a heat lamp. I dont think they make noise but Im no positive.

by Piratepete on Mon, 01/24/2011 - 20:16

Haha really? I'd say panthers r cuter. Haha but okay thank you for your advice, and yeah I'd have to keep them inside due to climate. They seem about the same in care so I guess it just comes down to price and looks. Haha do you have either of those lizards? If so, could you tell me how many panthers or leapords you can keep in a ten gallon tank? I have an empty ten gallon and don't really want to have to buy a larger one. Hope yah reply.

Thanks.

by Hicamz21 on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 19:04

Im Looking for a Ready to breed female Panther and I was wondering on If anyone has any for sale and if so how much and how much for shipping. I would be willing to trade a full grown Bearded dragon for a female panther.

by tsiconquest88 on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 19:25

Be careful with the replies/pm's you get for your post. I posted looking for the same gecko species and got more fake ads than real. One seemed so real i almost bit until i was warned of his email address which i then looked up on google and found tons of scams the person tried. I even spoke on the phone with him!

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