GeckoMan Roth
New member
Panther gecko care
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Overall, P. picta is a pretty hardy gecko. They can probably reach 10-15 years if well cared for.
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.
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.
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.
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. This is my personal decision, however, if you were to breed them, have a separate cage for the female and babies, so that she has time to recuperate from giving birth. I am a full believer in letting the mother keep her babies with her while they are growing up, because no human wants their babies taken away.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Overall, P. picta is a pretty hardy gecko. They can probably reach 10-15 years if well cared for.
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.
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.
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.
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. This is my personal decision, however, if you were to breed them, have a separate cage for the female and babies, so that she has time to recuperate from giving birth. I am a full believer in letting the mother keep her babies with her while they are growing up, because no human wants their babies taken away.
