Reptile atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Ptychozoon lionotum is native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, with a distribution covering Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of Indonesia. It is strictly arboreal, living on the trunks and branches of large trees in primary forests and highly humid forest canopies, where it spends its life high above the forest floor.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the class Reptilia, order Squamata, family Gekkonidae, and genus Ptychozoon (which is considered a subgenus or synonym of Gekko by some taxonomists). Known as the smooth-backed gliding gecko or parachute gecko. The species name 'lionotum' refers to the smooth dorsal surface of its back, which lacks the prominent raised tubercles found in other species like Ptychozoon kuhli.

Behavior and Habits: A nocturnal and arboreal gecko specialized in crypsis and gliding. During the day, it rests flattened against tree trunks, where its camouflage pattern makes it nearly invisible. When threatened by predators, it leaps into the air and spreads its lateral skin flaps to perform controlled, parachuting glides to escape to lower branches or the forest floor.

Morphology: Features a flattened, depressed body with lateral skin flaps (patagia) along the sides of the trunk, limbs, and head. The digits are fully webbed and equipped with adhesive lamellae for gripping vertical surfaces. The tail is broad and fringed with skin lobes that act as a rudder during gliding. Coloration is a cryptic grey-brown mimicking tree bark and lichens.

Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertical terrarium of at least 45x45x60 cm for a pair or trio (one male, two females). The enclosure should feature cork bark or tree bark background panels and multiple vertical branches of varying diameters. Add live broad-leafed plants (such as Pothos) to provide hiding places and maintain humidity. Use a moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber or peat moss.

Lighting and Heating: As a nocturnal lizard, UVB lighting is not strictly required but a 2% or 5% UVB tube on a 12-hour cycle is beneficial. Provide heating from above using a dome lamp with a ceramic heater or basking spot lamp. Maintain a warm zone of 28-30 °C and a cool area of 24-25 °C, with a nighttime drop to 20-22 °C. Keep heat sources guarded.

Humidity and Hydration: Humidity is a vital factor and must be maintained between 70% and 85% during the day, rising to 90% or higher at night. Spray the terrarium thoroughly twice daily with warm, declorinated water. These geckos rarely drink from a standing bowl; they lick water droplets from leaves, glass walls, and cork bark after spraying.

Feeding and Supplementation: A highly active insectivore. Feed a variety of live insects of appropriate size, such as crickets, roaches (Dubia/Red Runner), mealworms, and flies. Dust prey with pure calcium powder at every feeding for juveniles and breeding females, and calcium with D3 and multivitamins once or twice weekly to ensure proper bone health.

Compatibility: A single male can be housed with one or two females. Never house two males together, as they will fight aggressively over territory and mates, which can cause severe injury or death. They are not compatible with other lizard or gecko species. Handling should be kept to a minimum because their skin is very fragile and tears easily.

Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) caused by calcium and D3 deficiencies. Respiratory infections can develop if the enclosure is kept too cold while humidity is high. Poor shedding (dysecdysis), especially on toes and tail tips, occurs if humidity is insufficient, potentially leading to toe necrosis and loss.