Panther Gecko

Madagascar Ground Gecko
Pictus Gecko
Painted Ground Gecko
Ocelot Gecko

Paroedura pictus

Description

Panther geckos are attractive medium-sized terrestrial geckos. They are stoutly built with a seemingly oversized head. They have a base color of rust or reddish-brown patterned with beige, tan or cream colored blotches and spotting the combination of which often form partial stripes. Often there is also a pronounced mid-dorsal stripe. Panther geckos in captivity can grow to eight inches (20 centimeters) long, but six inches (15 centimeters) is more common. They can live up to 10 years.

Natural Habitat

Panther geckos are native to the South and Southwest of Madagascar. They are relatively common in their terrain of dry forests, savanna, scrub, sand dunes and related semi-desert regions. They are crepuscular and spend most of the day hiding beneath rocks, stick piles, tree debris or even buried. They tend to prefer ground that is sand or partially sandy and areas that retain some moisture.

Artificial Habitat

Panther geckos are terrestrial and semi-fossorial and don’t climb much. As such, they require a horizontally oriented enclosure with a sandy, loam, coconut bedding, mulch mixture is best. At least one portion of the habitat should be moist. This is most easily achieved by providing a small short plastic Tupperware-type container half filled with moist substrate with a hole cut in the lid. This provides both a hide spot and an area of higher humidity (which can aide in shedding). A small shallow water bowl should be provided. Flat rocks or bark can be added to provide more décor and additional shelters.

Since panther geckos are not active during the day they do not require UV lighting or a basking light, but they do need a heat source. By far the best choice is an undertank heater or heat tape which is placed under one end of the habitat (the hide spot should not be located directly on top of the heated area). Ambient temperatures should remain in the 78-86 degree Fahrenheit range, with a drop of 10-15 degrees at night.

Diet

Panther geckos eat are insectivorous and will eat a large variety of insects. In captivity they are most often fed crickets, phoenix worms, mealworms (only after the panther geckos are sub-adult to adult sized), small roaches, termites and silkworms. As with all captive lizards, variety of diet is the key to health. Keep in mind that all prey items should be dusted with a good vitamin/mineral supplement every other feeding.

Caveats

Panther geckos are not lizards to be handled frequently; they are shy and retiring creatures by nature and are best observed at dawn and dusk when they are naturally active. Male panther geckos are territorial and should not be housed together except in very large enclosures of mixed gender.