Can You Keep Just One Mourning Gecko?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Yes! Mourning are a rare

exception of the reptile world where they do better when housed with other members of their species. In fact, housing them alone is bad for their mental health and can lead to a deterioration in physical health.

How do you take care of a mourning gecko?

Humidity: Mourning geckos like it humid, and require a

humidity of at least 50%

. Lepidodactylus lugubris can do well at a humidity of up to 90%, as long as a drier area is provided. Ideal humidity range is 60%-80%. Size: Adult mourning geckos get up to about 4′′ in length.

Do mourning geckos need water?

Mourning geckos are nocturnal, but they will venture out during the day if they feel secure in their enclosures.

A water feature

, such as a water fall or plant dripper, should be provided. There are many types and sizes on the market.

What is the lifespan of a mourning gecko?

Length/Lifespan: Adult mourning geckos are generally 3.5-4 in. in total length. With proper husbandry they usually live

10-15 years

. However, being parthenogenic, you can expect your enclosure to be near constantly filled with geckos for as long as it continues to be maintained.

How often do you need to feed mourning geckos?

Mourning geckos do well on a diet of crested diet (replaced

every 24-48 hours

) and calcium-dusted insects 1-2x/week. Crested gecko diet should be offered in a small cup mounted on the wall of the enclosure, rather than the floor, as this makes it more accessible.

Do mourning geckos need heat?

Unless your house is very cold,

supplemental light and heat is not really needed for mourning geckos

. An ambient temperature inside the enclosure of about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is fine. … Keep in mind that these geckos are tiny, so tiny food is required.

How long do mourning geckos carry their eggs?

Most Mourning Gecko eggs hatch out

between 55-65 days

in our experience. Once hatched, the hatchlings can be placed in typical grow out enclosures as described above.

Are mourning geckos good pets?

Due to their ready breeding habits, mourning geckos are frequently kept as feeders for snakes, amphibians, invertebrates, and larger lizards. However, they

can make fun, easy-to-maintain pets as well

.

Can mourning geckos swim?

The Mourning gecko

needs water to drink and to swim in

. … They will love to swim for a short while, nibbling on plants and eating small animals in the water. But as you keep it in a tank with a water feature, add a lamp that will provide enough heat to improve temperature inside the tank.

Are mourning geckos loud?


Their little “clicks” are not loud at all

. I have cresteds and they don't seem to make much noise. I sleep at night, but even when their light is out at 8pm, I don't ever hear them. They are really neat little critters.

Can mourning geckos eat fruit?

Much like crested and gargoyle geckos, mourning geckos are omnivorous, which means that they eat a

varied diet of fruit, pollen, and insects

in the wild. … In captivity, they do well on a diet of fruit CGD (crested gecko diet) supplemented with insects.

How long can mourning geckos go without food?

Many older juveniles and adult geckos can go without food for

10 days to 2 weeks

, though this is not ideal under normal circumstances. All geckos require more consistent hydration.

What can mourning geckos live with?

Recommended Vivarium Size: Mourning geckos will thrive in an enclosure as small as 5 gallons, but 10 gallons or 12x12x12 exo-terras or larger are recommended for multiple animals. Many people successfully keep these geckos in naturalistic vivaria, housed with

larger dart frogs

.

Do mourning geckos need UV light?

Do mourning geckos need UVB?

Yes

! Because they're constantly producing eggs, mourning geckos need extra help from access to appropriate UVB lighting. The best UVB bulb for mourning geckos housed in a 12” x 12” x 18” terrarium is the 26w Zoo Med Reptisun 5.0 Compact Coil bulb.

Can you remove Mourning Gecko eggs?

Mourning geckos are egg-gluers, which means that they secrete a glue-like substance when they lay their eggs. … Attempting to remove mourning gecko eggs

will usually break them

.

Do geckos eat their babies?

Unfortunately,

yes they will

. In fact, it isn't uncommon at all for adult leopard geckos to consume their young shortly after birth. So in order to avoid that, babies and adults will have to be separated so that none of the lizards get hurt.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.