Keeping and Breeding of Northern Flat-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus alluaudi Mocquard, 1894) at BION Terrarium Center
BION Terrarium Center has many years of experience in keeping Northern flat-tailed gecko (Uroplatus alluaudi Mocquard, 1894).
Northern flat-tailed gecko (Uroplatus alluaudi Mocquard, 1894) is one of the smaller species of the genus.
Snout-to-vent length of adult individuals (SVL) is 65–80 mm (2.56-3.15 in), tail length (TL) is 35–40 mm (1.38-1.57 in). Total length 100–120 mm (3.94-4.72 in). Total length of juveniles is 40–60 mm (1.57-2.36 in).
The head is large, moderately flattened and ends in a short, rounded snout. 13–16 supralabials are present and the rostral scale is undivided (Angel, 1942). The body is slightly cylindrical and a bit flattened. Coloring varies from beige to hazel brown with diffuse dark brown to black patterns and sometimes pale (cream to white) cross-bands.
The tail is comparatively short and moderately serrated, its distal part tapers towards the tip (Bauer, 2013; Bohme, 2014). Males can be identified with certainty by means of their hemipenal bulges (Svatek, van Duin, 2001; Gehring, 2020). The earliest age for sexing is 4-5 months. The elder your animal is the bigger is the chance of correct sexing.
This species is endemic to Madagascar as well as other species from Uroplatus genus. They inhabit tropical rainforests of the northeastern part of Madagascar, national park The Montagne d’Ambre (D’Cruze N. et al., 2008). They can be usually found on the lower parts of the trees to a height of 2 m, mainly on branches, trunks and vines (Bauer, 2013; Bohme, 2014).
Keeping. We keep adults at 45*45*60 cm (17,7*17,7*23,6 in) terrariums, babies—at terrariums of not less than 30*30*30 cm (11,8*11,8*11,8 in). The decoration of the terrarium includes horizontal and vertical branches of medium thickness, lianas, layers of bark for climbing, hollows, living plants and shards as shelters. Substrate: crushed bark, covered with dry oak leaves. Water dish is obligatory.
Lighting. Zoo Med 5 UVB lamp is used during breeding season for 10–14 hours per day; during resting period (Dec. – Feb.) for 4 hours per day.
Temperature. Daytime temperature is +21 – +24°C (+69.8 – +75.2 F), at night: +19 – +21°C (+66.2 – +69.8 F); at the time of winter dormancy +17 – +20°C (+62.6 – +68.0 F).
40W incandescent lamp is used as both lighting and heating source.
Humidity. Humidity level is maintained at 60–80% with double spraying (morning and evening) per day.
Diet. The diet for adults consists of Turkestan cockroaches (Shelfordella tartara), snout moths and crickets with the size of insects not more than 15 mm. We offer 1–2 insects to each lizard 1–2 times a week.
It is strictly recommended not to use wild caught insects for feeding. If the animal shows signs of obesity, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 1 time per 2 weeks. There is always a bowl with fresh drinking water in the terrarium. Sometimes if an animal is still hungry, we can offer one or two additional feeding items.
