Very small geckos/lizards

[Dr. Agon]

A while back I saw a 8" * 8" * 8" cage that could fit on my desk. I was looking up some geckos that were small enough to fit in it. While I was searching I found some geckos that were too big and I saw some other lizards. (I found one called and armadillo girdled lizard that Wikipedia said was 7.5 -9 cm but I later found out they were 75 -90cm... thanks wiki) Is there any geckos or lizards that could fit in a cage that small? I know this site is just for geckos but list any lizards. Thanks!

 

[JessJohnson87]

Keeping Genus Tropiocolotes - Gecko Time - Gecko Time
Those little guys are neat and would probably be happy in a tank that small.

 

[Dr. Agon]

OMG I didn't know lizards could be that small ! I'll do a lot more research on these guys to see if they would fit me. Thanks!!! You've helped out A LOT on my questions!

 

[JessJohnson87]

Yeah I'm not sure of other species of gecko/lizard that could live in a tank that size. It would be perfect for a tarantula that doesn't get very big either.

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ya try convincing my mom to let me get a tarantula... hahahahaha I can't stop laughing . I've seen some people feed these fruit flies. I'll see what else they can eat. Apparently for tiny geckos they eat a lot. Idk, the pet store near me does sell really small mealies by the 100s, but they do run out sometimes. I've never handled fruit flies before. I'll have to ask a friend who does whether they are hard to handle or not.

 

[Yoshi'smom]

I know there's also a smaller species of day gecko. I'm not sure what it's called. You could try searching different types of them.

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ok will do. Thanks!!

 

[acpart]

Do a google search for "micro geckos". Anything small enough to live in that viv will be eating fruit flies, so be prepared.

Aliza

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ok. I read that they could eat really tiny mealworms, which my petstore has, so I might be able to also use those too. I read that the tropiocolotes micros also have a HUMONGOUS appetite for their tiny body, so I might have to use the flies and mealworms.

 

[vgorst]

Unless you use newly hatched mealworms they will be too big, micros will go for pretty large prey but they can't handle even buffalo worms or mini mealworms. I feed mine fruit flies and micro crickets (and a lot of them!). An 8"x8" is quite small, even for micros. You may be able to keep a very small group of them in there, but they do use the entire space so use floor and height space as much as possible.

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ya I saw one that was 8 x 8 for a base and 12 for the height. I thought I could make it a sponge floor and cut a cave system into the bottom of it. Here's a link to what one looks like.

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0484/0009/products/50548HabisphereTerrarium.jpg?v=1430793313

Ya I did read that big groups needed a lot of space. I'll probably only put at most 4-5... maybe less.
Also where did you buy your micros from and do you use a under the tank heater or a heater pad?

 

[vgorst]

You could try a cave system, the problems would be that they'd probably poo down there a lot so would need to be removed and cleaned quite often, or if one died down there. There isn't as much height in there due to the curved roof, I also don't know how secure the top is. I've had a few escapees and they've gotten out of some pretty small holes!

I got mine from a shop my other half worked out, you're best off having a look at some stock lists and finding out when imports come in as you'll be lucky to find a decent group of captive bred. I use a heat light and UV with mine but I know of people who keep them with heat mats. I've kept them with heat mats before but you'll find they're less active and stay lying on the floor a lot of the day.

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ok thanks. No I wasn't getting the habisphere cage it just had a sponge floor. Now that you do mention it, if they do poop down there that will be a mess to clean up. I might just get a 10-20 gallon and put it somewhere else. Also what store did you buy them from and was it in the US?

 

[JessJohnson87]

You MAY be able to find them at a reptile show. The breeders I got my leo from picked one up at a show in Richmond a couple of months ago.

 

[vgorst]

I got mine in a shop in the UK

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ok thanks. I'll have to research repticon and see if anyone there sells them. Right now I'll probably wait because I finished setting up my bearded dragon cage and I'm gonna get him soon.

 

[acpart]

A few more things to consider with micro geckos:
--some are arboreal and some are terrestrial. If you get arboreal ones, be sure you have a front-opening cage or you'll be chasing them around your house
--if you get an exoterra or zoo-med front-opening cage, you will need to put clear tape at all the hinged joints to eliminate the small opening between the door and the side of the cage or they will get out.
--if you use a planted tank, it won't matter if they poop because that will fertilize the plants.

Aliza

 

[vgorst]

Both the micro gecko species I keep will utilise the entire tank, I don't have any that I would call either arboreal or terrestrial, and as far as I'm aware the other species are the same. Either way, the entire tank has to be secure, both for the geckos and if you don't want a fruit fly infestation

 

[Dr. Agon]

Ya I just realized the tank opens from the front so ya the fruit flies will escape.