Electric Blue Gecko

Geographical Origin and Habitat: An ultra-endemic day gecko species restricted entirely to a tiny, fragmented area of the Kimboza Forest in eastern Tanzania. It lives in exclusive symbiosis with large-leafed screw pines of the genus *Pandanus*. Due to severe habitat loss and illegal poaching, it is listed under CITES Appendix I, meaning all specimens in the pet trade must legally originate from captive-bred (CB) sources.

Taxonomy and Genetics: *Lygodactylus williamsi* is a miniature day gecko, reaching a total length of only 8 cm, half of which is tail. The digits possess specialized adhesive pads that allow them to run vertically on smooth leaves and glass. They are visually striking and highly sought after by terrarists.

Behavior and Habits: Diurnal, highly active, and exceptionally fast-moving geckos. They spend their days basking on *Pandanus* leaves. Dominant males are highly territorial, defending high perches by bobbing their heads and inflating their black throats. They are extremely shy, dislike handling, and will drop their tails (autotomy) or panic if cornered.

Morphology: Sexual dimorphism is spectacular and color-based. Dominant adult males display a brilliant, shining sapphire-blue body with dark stripes on the head and a jet-black throat. Females, juveniles, and submissive males are olive-green or bronze-green with yellowish bellies, lacking the intense blue color.

Terrarium Setup: A vertically oriented glass terrarium (minimum 30x30x45 cm) is suitable for a single pair. The setup must include *Pandanus* plants or similar broad-leafed plants (such as bromeliads). The leaf axils of these plants are essential for their resting spots and serve as secure sites where females lay their eggs.

Lighting and Heating: Requires high light levels and warmth. Provide a high-quality T5 UVB light (5–7%) at the top of the enclosure. Maintain a temperature gradient from 25–26°C near the bottom to a localized basking spot of 31–33°C using a shielded basking lamp. Proper full-spectrum lighting is essential for the males to develop their intense blue color.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity levels (70–80%), easily managed with live plants and daily misting. Avoid soggy substrate. While a small water dish should be provided, they prefer to drink water droplets from the leaves and glass after misting.

Feeding and Supplementation: Their tiny jaws require very small prey. Provide daily feeds of fruit flies (*Drosophila melanogaster*), springtails, pea aphids, or small pinhead crickets. They also eagerly consume fruit-based gecko powders (like Repashy or Pangea) offered in suspended feeding cups. Supplement breeding females with pure calcium.

Compatibility: Highly territorial. They must be housed strictly as a single male-female pair (1.1) or in small harems in very large enclosures. Never house multiple males together. Submissive males will mask their color, remaining green to avoid fatal attacks from the dominant male.

Health and Common Diseases: Prolific breeders under good conditions, but highly vulnerable to sudden dehydration and heat stress. A lack of micro-insects leads to rapid wasting. If a tail is dropped, it will regenerate, but it will appear noticeably shorter and stubbier than the original.