Bibron's Gecko

Pachydactylus bibroni

Description

Bibron's geckos have a base color of tan, brown or gray, with salt and pepper granual scales dorsally. Their colors vary somewhat, but usually they have five dark brown or black stripes running down their back. The underide is white, cream or very light brown. They are heavy-bodied, medium-sized geckos with pronounced triangular heads. Adults grow to between 6 and 8 inches (15-20 centimeters). Contrary to popular conception, they are both terrestrial and arboreal, with habitat preferences often based on the most abundant food supply; where ground prey is abundant Bibron’s tend to stay near the ground and when they are around human civilization they often congregate on walls and ceilings preying on bugs attracted to light sources. Bibron’s geckos are voracious and enthusiastic eaters. They are a fairly long lived gecko, with lifespans of 15-20 years not being uncommon.

Natural Habitat

Bibron's geckos are diurnal
geckos widely distributed throughout the southern part of Africa, ranging northward into Angola and southern Tanzania. They are generally found in semitropical terrain, and enjoy basking in temperatures as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also classified as communal, often living in large groups including 20 geckos or more. Within their range they are common, highly adaptable, and often follow human settlement, causing them to be considered a household nuisance in some places.

Artificial Habitat

Like many geckos, Bibron’s do best in a vertically oriented enclosure (one that is taller than it is wide). Ideally the enclosure will incorporate one or more ventilation points (usually the top and/or sides). Substrate should be a layer of compost, mulch, crushed coconut, or orchid bark at least an inch deep. Branches and branching plants, rocks, bark and similar décor should be included to provide ample climbing and hiding spaces. They should be provided with a relatively narrow and focused basking spot (most easily obtained by using a spot light with proper wattage or placed on a rheostat) with a surface temperature range of between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit. Because they are diurnal they benefit from UV light, which can either be provided by the basking light (there are several commercially available reptile spot lights that now incorporate UV) or through the use of a fluorescent UV bulb. Daytime ambient temperatures should be in the 75-85 degree range with a drop of 10 to 15 degrees at night being ideal. Water and humidity can be provided by daily misting, with a humidity level of around 65% being ideal.

Diet

Bibron’s geckos are opportunistic and enthusiastic feeders, eating a wide variety of insects including, but not limited to: crickets, grasshoppers and locusts, moths, flies, waxworms, superworms, roaches and springtails. As with all captive lizards, prey items should be dusted with a good vitamin/mineral supplement. Water can be provided by misting plant leaves and the sides of the enclosure, and also by providing a shallow water dish.

Caveats

In spite of their robust build, these geckos do not tend to be aggressive towards one another, but like many geckos adult males cannot be kept in the same enclosure unless it is large enough so as to avoid frequent confrontations (most home vivariums will not meet this criterion). Males can be distinguished from females by their somewhat wider tail in the postanal area. Also, males tend to be slightly larger than females.

Although not common, Bibron’s geckos are capable of inflicting a painful bite, can move very quickly, and have relatively sensitive skin, so they should be handled only when absolutely necessary.