Hello all...been trolling for awhile since this was the only place I was able to find any useful info on my Giant Velvet. I'm not new to reptiles by any means..but I am new to Geckos and this species in particular. What I was wondering is why the info found is older and no more recent posts are found. I've had mine for several weeks now in an established bioactive and he seems to be doing quite well. Although I've not seen him eat crickets, he has been eating CGD every night. I find that amazing since I've read that's not the norm. Sorry to ramble but I hope to find more up to date info....thanks...
Blaesodactylus Boivini dad...
- Thread starter Hack
- Start date
Sound like my day geckos on steroids 
Would I could gather from a quick google search and my own online research for my Malagasy residents.
1) you should house it in a good sized terrarium, 36x36x18, for best effect.
2) Temps should be easy to attain, they seem to do well at intermediate temps...if you are comfortable, they are. Same with humidity, 50%-70% seems right. A full screen top and spraying down a couple times a week should be adequate.
3) Large crickets, beetles, mealworms, etc. should be taken pretty freely
I have always been a proponent of naturalistic, planted terraria. It just showcases the animal at its best. https://www.out-of-africa-plants.com/, Out of Africa plants may have some very unique additions.
I would read as much as possible on google...and the accept that there really isn't much out there. I have lined-day geckos and bronze backed mantellas, both are occasionally available...but they seem on the wane as far as popularity. I also grow orchids that are Malagasy....all are in the same enclosure. I researched the conditions, made some educated guesses, a few tweaks...all seem to be doing fairly well. I continue to evaluate and adjust. You will likely do the same...enjoy the journey....then find a female.....
Would I could gather from a quick google search and my own online research for my Malagasy residents.
1) you should house it in a good sized terrarium, 36x36x18, for best effect.
2) Temps should be easy to attain, they seem to do well at intermediate temps...if you are comfortable, they are. Same with humidity, 50%-70% seems right. A full screen top and spraying down a couple times a week should be adequate.
3) Large crickets, beetles, mealworms, etc. should be taken pretty freely
I have always been a proponent of naturalistic, planted terraria. It just showcases the animal at its best. https://www.out-of-africa-plants.com/, Out of Africa plants may have some very unique additions.
I would read as much as possible on google...and the accept that there really isn't much out there. I have lined-day geckos and bronze backed mantellas, both are occasionally available...but they seem on the wane as far as popularity. I also grow orchids that are Malagasy....all are in the same enclosure. I researched the conditions, made some educated guesses, a few tweaks...all seem to be doing fairly well. I continue to evaluate and adjust. You will likely do the same...enjoy the journey....then find a female.....
Thanks for the reply...I have done extensive reading before I got him albeit quite sparse. They do share similarities with other Geckos from that region. I was just wondering why they aren't more popular. I suppose the long incubation period has a lot to do with it. I will try to post some pics soon...
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
Pics soon, please, Hack.
I've wondered the same thing. What makes a pet the popular trend? Leopard Geckos are clearly the flavor of the month and clearly have a close following on this forum. I suppose they are somewhat colorful and will tolerate handling....maybe :lol:
I enjoy the challenge of keeping less popular specimens, I enjoy watching them just being geckos. When I feed them, there are no dishes...it's "if you catch it, you can eat it"....including your own offspring. Sometimes I am lucky and get to them first.
I think that is difficult to export wild caught from Madagascar, they may be difficult to incubate, and ultimately there is little demand in the market.
I'm certainly glad to find another Boivini keeper...there seems to be a few amount. I did go to a reptile show this past weekend and there were 3 there for sale. What I fell in love with was a Leachie....it was the first time I got to see and handle one. That is definitely on my bucket list of additions.
There was a long period of time where they were not imported. The ones you're seeing now are from recent imports, the last was probably 2011 - 2012 (maybe a little later, but you get the idea).
If there is any advice that I have to offer, it's use a large enclosure. I keep the females in 2x2x3s and rotate the males so no one is with a male all the time.
Just found eggs tonight that are showing blood vessels, we'll see how it goes!
Elizabeth Freer
Well-known member
:yahoo: Good wishes for healthy hatchlings! What is the incubation period?
Thank you! I've read 90 days, I've read 180, depending on incubation conditions. I hatched a Wahlberg's gecko recently, that took probably 8 months.
Mine still run, but come back rather quickly. I've also been bit a number of times. :crackup:
This is an older pic, I changed out money trees for pothos.
