How difficult is it to keep African Fat-Tailed Gecko?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for African Fat-Tailed Gecko?

The ideal temperature for African Fat-Tailed Gecko is 26〜32℃. Recommended humidity is 50〜70%. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

What is the lifespan of African Fat-Tailed Gecko?

The average lifespan of African Fat-Tailed Gecko is 15-20 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does African Fat-Tailed Gecko get?

African Fat-Tailed Gecko typically reaches 20-25cm as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed African Fat-Tailed Gecko?

African Fat-Tailed Gecko feeds on: Insects (crickets, mealworms). Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for African Fat-Tailed Gecko?

The price of African Fat-Tailed Gecko varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Beginner

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

Popular ground-dwelling gecko alongside leopard geckos. Prefers higher humidity and slightly shy but calms with handling.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

26〜32℃

Lifespan

15-20 years

Size

20-25cm

Humidity

50〜70%

Diet

Insects (crickets, mealworms)

About

The African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a ground-dwelling gecko native to the arid grasslands and scrublands of West Africa, ranging from Senegal and Guinea to Nigeria and Cameroon. It is closely related to the leopard gecko and shares a similar heavy-bodied build with a thick tail used to store fat reserves. Adults typically reach 20–25 cm in length. The base coloration is brown or grey with dark transverse banding, and captive-bred morphs including albino and stripe variants are available.

Lifespan of the African Fat-Tailed Gecko

The African Fat-Tailed Gecko lives 15-20 years.

Lifespan in captivity is commonly 15–20 years.

Size of the African Fat-Tailed Gecko

The African Fat-Tailed Gecko grows to 20-25cm.

Temperature & humidity for the African Fat-Tailed Gecko

The ideal temperature for the African Fat-Tailed Gecko is 26〜32℃. Ideal humidity is 50〜70%.

Compared to the leopard gecko, this species prefers slightly higher humidity (50–70%) and tends to be somewhat more shy, though it tames well with regular handling.

Basic Info

Origin

West Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal and surrounding regions)

Lifespan

15-20 years

Size

Morphs (Varieties)

In West African fat-tailed gecko morph trading, recessive morphs such as albino, oleo, and patternless are standard, and the co-dominant whiteout morph (super form is lethal) is also popular.

RecessiveVisual only with two copies; one copy = het (carrier).

Amelanistic / AlbinoCaramel AlbinoPatternlessOreoGhostZuluStinger

Incomplete dominant1 copy visual; 2 copies (super form) more pronounced.

White Out

PolygenicContinuous trait from multiple genes; intensified by selective breeding.

Jungle / Aberrant

Sources: Gecko Time - African Fat-tail Gecko Morph Guide / MorphMarket Morphpedia - African Fat-Tailed Geckos

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus (Duméril, 1851)

Synonyms: Stenodactylus caudi-cinctus Duméril, 1851

Authority databases: GBIF · Reptile Database

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern

Sources: CITES Checklist (not listed) / IUCN Red List

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.