Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 32, Number 7;   July, 2005

The Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris)

by Elizabeth Freer

Description
Lepidodactylus lugubris are small geckos with an approximate snout-vent length of (SVL) 45mm, although the maximum SVL can vary slightly according to the population from which the animal comes. The tail is moderately long and normally just over 100% of SVL. The skin is smooth. Their backs and tails have a ground color of pale creamy-fawn with a variegated dark brown/beige overlapping zigzag pattern. They can change shades of color between white, brown, reddish-brown, fawn and gray. Their undersides are beige and sometimes speckled. Hatchlings are miniature replicas of the adults.

Lepidodactylus lugubris has a well developed voice and makes a loud single-syllable chirping noise which is repeated five to ten times in quick succession and sounds something like "chik, chik, chik, chik, chik, chik, chik..." (McKeown, 1996).

These geckos are parthenogenetic, which means that females can reproduce independently of males. Consequently, some populations are all female.

Lepidodactylus lugubris is one of approximately 25 species of Lepidodactylus and is a member of Lepidodactylus Group III (Brown and Parker 1977).

Distribution
Lepidodactylus lugubris are extremely widespread, being found across the Pacific region. They can also be found in the Hawaiian Islands as well as Cocos (Keeling) Island and Queensland, Australia, Central and South America, and beyond.

Natural History
As might be guessed at by its enormous range, Lepidodactylus lugubris is a very adaptable gecko that can thrive in a variety of habitats. In different geographic locations they have been found in mangrove trees, on bare rocks near seashores, in the leaf axils of palms, behind the bark of trees and in human habitations. Although nocturnal, in captivity this species is somewhat active and visible during the day.

Housing In Captivity
Lepidodactylus lugubris do well in small groups. I keep up to six in a ten-gallon vivarium. This affords the opportunity to witness social interactions among the group. While a dominance hierarchy can occur, and fighting will ensue, this is not as severe as when males of some other gecko species are kept together. However, if space is too limited and hideouts too scarce, I have witnessed some severe aggression with posturing (arching back) and attacking of cagemates.

I have even observed a specimen upside down on the top screen biting another gecko, which was literally dangling from the attacker's mouth. Generally though, given adequate space and cage furnishings, this is a relatively sociable species and usually battle wounds heal with time.

Keep these geckos at 70°F minimum with a somewhat warmer temperature during late spring and summer. They do not seem to require a temperature drop at night. My personal rule of thumb is that a warm Lepidodactylus lugubris is an active Lepidodactylus lugubris. Fresh water should be available in the vivarium at all times. I use a peat moss substrate and live potted plants to assist in increasing the humidity. Generously mist the enclosure at least once daily, and more often if temperatures exceed °80°F. Periodically dampen the substrate, but note that the environment should "dry out" by the day's end.

Varied cage furniture adds to your geckos' comfort, increases their activity, and adds interest from a human perspective. Provide rocks, driftwood, plastic aquarium foliage, potted plants (e.g. Pothos, Sanseveria sp.), and ample hiding places. Aquarium vines can be hung with small suction cup hooks. A well-fitted fine mesh screen for the top of the vivarium is a must. These geckos are escape artists.

Food & Feeding
Coat crickets (1/4" to 1/2"), vestigial-winged Drosophila, waxworm larvae, and other live food with Rep-Cal's phosphorous-free, ultrafine calcium with vitamin D3 powder and / or Sticky Tongue Farms' Miner-all powder. As an additional calcium supplement, you can also feed these geckos shaved cuttlebone. Lepidodactylus lugubris will eat cuttlebone directly from a plastic lid. As a second natural calcium supplement, be sure to "recycle" empty eggs after the young have hatched.

These geckos enjoy a variety of baby foods (banana, peach, tropical fruit, and either chicken or turkey) once a week or so. Blend in vitamins and place the mixture on a plastic lid. Balance the amount of Vitamin A judiciously, because Vitamin A toxicity can be a problem.

To reduce decay from cricket carcasses inside the tank, some gecko keepers place crickets in a separate container within the vivarium. The geckos will readily climb into the container for their meals. If you try this feeding technique, here is a word of caution: sometimes excess powder falls off the crickets into the container, sticks to the geckos' toes and makes the geckos temporarily unable to climb out.

Health
Contrary to what Henkel and Schmidt (1995) imply, Lepidodactylus lugubris can be cannibalistic. They will consume a yolk or embryo if an egg happens to crack prematurely. I have also occasionally witnessed them pursuing and con.suming unlucky hatchlings. I therefore recommend the removal of hatchlings as soon as they are discovered within the parent vivarium.

Tails regenerate if bitten off. Fingers and toes will not regenerate. If skin remains after shedding, your gecko will need some assistance in removing the skin, or digits may be lost. Soak your gecko in tepid water and then carefully remove loosened skin with tweezers. Using peat moss as a substrate increases the cage humidity, thereby lessening incomplete sheds. Seizures may result if calcium and vitamin supplementation is less than optimal. Kinked tails may be indicative of excess Vitamin A.

These attractive animals do not seem to mind being handled. Longevity seems to be in their genes - I have one specimen that is 12-1/2 years old.

Breeding
Lepidodactylus lugubris become sexually mature at about eight to ten months. They generally lay two eggs, but occasionally one egg, and are prolific - as well as being communal egg-layers. They will" glue" their hard-shelled eggs almost anywhere. Once laid, the eggs are very difficult to remove without cracking.

I suggest placing a section of choya wood, bamboo, or plastic aquarium foliage in the tank as potential portable egg-laying sites that can be removed, together with eggs, for incubation. Eggs take 60 days or longer to hatch when kept at a minimum of 70°F. Hatchlings measure 35mm from snout to tail tip and are easy to raise.

Global Gecko Association Rating (1-4)
1 - Ideal for beginners.

Recommended Reading
Bauer, A.M. and RA. Sadlier. 2000. The Herpetofauna of New Caledonia. SSAR 310pp.
Brown, W.C. and F. Parker. 1977. Lizards of the genus Lepidodactylus (Gekkonidae) from the Indo-Australian Archipelago and the islands of the Pacific, with description of new species. Proc. California Acad. Sci. 41:253-265
De Vosjoli, Philippe. 1994. The Lizard Keeper's Handbook. Advanced Vivarium Systems Inc.; Lakeside, California. 175 pp.
Henkel, F-W. and W. Schmidt. 1995. Geckoes: Biology, Husbandry, and Reproduction. Krieger Publishing Company; Malabar, Florida. 237 pp.
McKeown, S. 1996. A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. Diamond Head Publishing, Inc. Los Osos, California. 172 pp.
Seufer, Hermann. 1991. Keeping and Breeding Geckos. T. F. H. Publications, Inc.; Neptune, New Jersey. 191 pp.