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African Flat Gecko
Afroedura africana
Native to southern Africa, this severely flattened gecko is perfectly adapted to volcanic rock crevices. It needs an 18x18x18 inch rock-themed terrarium, dry conditions, and a strong basking spot to thrive successfully.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Gekkonidae
Genus:Afroedura
Species:Afroedura africana
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
30 - 50 %
Day temperature
25 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
28 °C
Night temperature
18 - 20 °C
Basking spot
33 - 35 °C
Adult size
6.4 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 60 L
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to southern Africa (primarily Namibia and South Africa). It inhabits rocky outcrops, dry canyons, and arid savannas, sheltering inside narrow volcanic or granitic rock crevices.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Gekkonidae, genus Afroedura. Highly specialized rupicolous lineage showing extreme dorso-ventral skeletal compression allowing them to fit into millimetric fissures.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and rock-dwelling. Spends daylight hours hiding in deep rock cracks. Very agile on vertical rock faces. Males are highly territorial and use vocalizations and tail movements to communicate.
Morphology: Reaches an adult size of 10 to 12 cm (4-5 inches) in total length. Features an extremely flat skull and body. Digital pads have divided lamellae at the tips. Coloration is pale grey-brown with fine dark bands.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a rock-themed enclosure (e.g., 18x18x18 inches / 45x45x45 cm) with structured slate or stone backgrounds forming multiple narrow crevice hides. Use a dry sand-clay or fine gravel substrate.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a basking spot on the rocks at 33-35°C (91-95°F), with ambient temperatures of 25-28°C (77-82°F) and a night drop to 18-20°C (64-68°F). Moderate UVB lighting (5-7%) is highly recommended.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low humidity (30-50%). Provide a shallow water dish, and lightly mist one corner of the enclosure once or twice a week to simulate morning dew for drinking.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feed appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and mealworms. Dust insects with pure calcium at every feeding, and use a calcium with D3 and multivitamin mix weekly.
Compatibility: Do not house males together. A single male can be kept with multiple females in a large terrarium with ample rock hides to prevent territorial stress.
Health and Common Diseases: High risk of Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) without calcium or UVB. Tail autotomy occurs easily if handled roughly. Ensure all rock structures are firmly secured to prevent crushing accidents.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to southern Africa (primarily Namibia and South Africa). It inhabits rocky outcrops, dry canyons, and arid savannas, sheltering inside narrow volcanic or granitic rock crevices.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 6.4 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 6.4 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.4 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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