Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 29, Number 6;   June, 2002

Australian Velvet Geckos

Common Name:

Australian Velvet Geckos

Scientific Name:

Oedura species

Family: Gekkonidae

Northern velvet gecko - Oedura castelnaui

Range: Australia, eastern slopes of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland
Size: 90mm snout-vent

Ocellated velvet gecko - Oedura monilis

Range: Australia, western slopes & ranges of central and northern New South Wales and central-eastern Queensland
Size: 80mm snout-vent, ~6 inches ( 15cm) total length

Active:

Nocturnal, crepuscular

Habitat:

Woodland, arboreal in dry sclerophyll forest and saxicolous (rock dwelling)

Captive:

Planted vivarium; 15 gallon high aquarium, soil or vermiculite or sphagnum moss (unmilled) for substrate, vertical or diagonal branches for climbing, (plastic vines wound on branches provide good hiding areas, stiff leaved plants (e.g., sanseverias) for hiding areas, cork bark for hides and climbing; snug fitting top is crucial because they are escape artists (even babies); good ventilation is a must, restricted airflow encourages the growth of harmful molds and fungi.

Food:

Appropriate sized crickets, wax worms, meal worms, baby food; non-citrus fruits such as banana, peach, and apricot as occasional treat. Don't overfeed on insects, leads to stress, especially for young. Provide vitamin/mineral supplements occasionally along with a calcium supplement.

Temperament:

Primarily terrarium subjects because do not enjoy excessive handling secretive and shy creatures since require hiding spots to feel secure

Temperature:

Optimum temperatures seem to be between 80°F and 90°F. Humidity level between 65 to 75% (live plants or soil substrate help keep humidity at adequate levels)

Breeding:

Not TSD. Cooling period of six to eight weeks when temp gradually drops to 65°F to 75°F during cooling feeding cut back to 2X a week; lower humidity levels at this time; reduce light from 14 to 16 hrs of light to 10-12 hrs after heat/light resumed, eggs produced several weeks later if breeding successful clutch of two eggs sometimes one can store sperm incubate in moist vermiculite at 78°F to 83°F; incubation 60-100 days; specimens can reach sexual maturity in one year.

Reference:

Baldwin, Robert. (1998) "A touch of velvet." Reptiles. Fancy Publications., Irvine, California, (12pp).
Bartlett, R.D. and Bartlett, Patricia (1997) Lizard Care from A to Z. Barren's Educational Series, Hauppauge, NY. 178pp.
Henkel, Friedrich-Wilhelm and Schmidt, Wolfgang. 1995 Geckos, Biology, Husbandry, and Reproduction. Kreiger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, 237pp.