Namib Web-Footed Gecko

Namib Web-Footed Gecko key facts

Care level

Advanced

Lifespan

5-10 years

Size

12-14cm total length (tail 6cm, 6-10g)

Diet

Carnivorous: a wide range of arthropods including termites, darkling beetles, crickets and spiders

Temperature & Humidity

It lives on Namib dune fields and spends the day in a deep burrow, where there is a moderate amount of moisture even during the day; it comes to the surface only at night once temperatures have dropped. Reliable published husbandry figures for this species are scarce, so no numbers are quoted here, but keep the surface sand dry with damp deeper layers and let the enclosure cool properly at night.

Enclosure

A dune species that digs burrows 80-100 cm deep in the wild, so it needs an enclosure with a generous depth of fine sand. The webbing is an organ for scooping sand, and coarse substrates or hard flooring are unsuitable. Its skin and limbs are extremely delicate, so avoid sharp materials in the layout.

Diet & Feeding

It takes a wide range of arthropods including termites, darkling beetles, crickets and spiders. It is not an efficient hunter and relies on foraging at night when other lizards are not competing. In captivity offer small crickets and roach nymphs dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements. Because it licks dew, mist to produce droplets.

Temperament

Largely solitary; males placed together in one enclosure fight fiercely. The thin skin and slender limbs are easily injured by handling. It produces a varied repertoire of sounds, from squeaks and clicks to croaks and barks, when disturbed or courting.

Notes

Not listed on any CITES appendix. It appears neither on the schedule of designated dangerous animals under the Order for Enforcement of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals nor on Japan's list of invasive alien species. It is highly specialised to dune habitat, so reproducing the substrate and its moisture gradient is the key to keeping it. Hunting for food and habitat destruction have been noted as threats to its populations.

About Namib Web-Footed Gecko

A nocturnal gecko found only in Namibia's Namib Desert, known for its toe webbing and near-transparent skin. Here's what makes the Namib Web-Footed Gecko distinctive and what to know before keeping one.

7 things to know before welcoming a Namib Web-Footed Gecko

1. 1An Advanced-Level Species

   Keeping this gecko well requires precise humidity control and the right sand substrate, so it suits keepers who already have reptile experience. If this is your first gecko, consider starting with a hardier species first.

2. 2Webbing to the Toe Tips

   Its webbed feet extend all the way to the tips of its toes, letting it run across fine sand without sinking. Choose a substrate of fine, dry sand to let this adaptation work as intended.

3. 3Thin, Translucent Skin

   The skin is unusually thin and semi-transparent, sometimes showing the faint outline of internal organs. Because it's so delicate, handling should be kept to a minimum.

4. 4Nocturnal, Resting by Day

   During the day it rests quietly inside the burrow it has dug; activity begins after sunset. If you want to observe it, a dim red light at night is gentler than direct illumination.

5. 5A Natural Burrower

   It digs its own deep burrow to use as a hideout and resting spot. Provide a substrate deep enough, and loose enough, for digging.

6. 6Easily Startled

   It's sensitive to noise and vibration and will dart into its burrow when startled. Keep the enclosure in a quiet spot and observe calmly through the glass.

7. 7An Insectivorous Diet

   Crickets and similar insects make up the staple diet, supplemented with calcium and vitamin powders. Since this is a desert species, misting is generally a better way to offer water than a standing dish.

Frequently asked questions about Namib Web-Footed Gecko

Q.Is the Namib Web-Footed Gecko suitable for beginners?

A.It's generally considered an advanced-level species, requiring careful humidity and substrate management. Keepers are encouraged to gain reptile experience before taking one on.

Q.What is the webbing on its feet actually used for?

A.The webbing, which extends to the tips of the toes, lets it run across fine sand without sinking in. It also helps when digging its burrow.

Q.Why is its skin so thin?

A.This species naturally has thin, semi-transparent skin, through which the outline of internal organs can sometimes be seen. Because the skin is delicate, its enclosure should avoid excessive dryness or abrasive surfaces.

Q.What does it do during the day?

A.It's fully nocturnal and spends daylight hours resting quietly inside a burrow it has dug. Activity is mostly seen after sunset and through the night.

Q.Are there any regulations on this species?

A.The Namib Web-Footed Gecko is not subject to CITES. That's a useful basic fact to know before bringing one home.

Useful tools for Namib Web-Footed Gecko care

Learn more about Namib Web-Footed Gecko in the encyclopedia

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