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African Fat-Tailed Gecko - Caramel Albino
Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
A T-positive albinism strain. Unlike the fluorescent orange of standard albinos, the Caramel morph retains subtle dark pigments, showing warm toasted cream and caramel tones.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Eublepharidae
Genus:Hemitheconyx
Species:Hemitheconyx caudicinctus*
* Caramel Albino
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 70 %
Day temperature
30 - 32 °C
Ambient temperature
26 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
Basking spot
30 - 32 °C
Adult size
16 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 60 L
UVB
Non necessario / Basso
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the dry savannahs, scrublands, and river valleys of West Africa, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. They seek shelter in deep, humid underground burrows or abandoned termite mounds to escape the daytime heat.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Eublepharidae. The "Stinger" morph is a pattern mutation of the African Fat-Tailed Gecko where the dorsal bands are reduced or broken, leaving a distinct lanceolate or sting-shaped mark on the tail.
Behavior and Habits: Extremely docile, calm, and slow-moving. They are crepuscular and nocturnal terrestrial geckos that display a strong digging instinct, excavating shallow retreats in damp soil.
Morphology: Robust build with a large, rounded head and a thick, bulbous tail used for storing fat and water. Adult males are slightly larger, with wider heads, visible preanal pores, and prominent hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A horizontal enclosure (minimum 90x45x45 cm) is recommended. Provide a deep, burrowable substrate of damp topsoil and coconut fiber, along with cork bark tunnels and a vital humid hide filled with damp moss.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a thermal gradient with a warm zone floor temperature of 30–32°C using a thermostat-controlled heat mat or halogen lamp. Keep the cool side at 24°C, with a night drop to 22–24°C. Provide low-intensity (5–7%) UVB lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate ambient humidity at 50–65%. Spray the cool side and substrate regularly to keep the lower layers damp but not wet. A shallow water bowl must be available at all times.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. They can be selective feeders, preferring live crickets and mealworms. Dust prey items with pure calcium at every feeding, and add D3/multivitamins once or twice a week.
Compatibility: Solitary. Do not house two males together under any circumstances. Small harem groups can be kept in large, well-structured enclosures, though individual housing is recommended to avoid stress.
Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if calcium is lacking, and severe dysecdysis (incomplete shedding) around the eyes and toes if humidity is too low. Monitor tail thickness as a primary indicator of health.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the dry savannahs, scrublands, and river valleys of West Africa, including Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. They seek shelter in deep, humid underground burrows or abandoned termite mounds to escape the daytime heat.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsNorth AmericaAfrica and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 16 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 16 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 16 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.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
