WhitneyAfrican Fat Tail Geckos
June 23rd 2008 13:47
Also, commonly referred to as just AFT. African fat tails are probbably one of the more docile pet reptiles that you can find on the pet trade, even more calm than leopard geckos.
These guys are just a tad smaller, in length, than leopard geckos, and a tad bulkier.
As for husbandry, AFT's need a minimum of a 10 gallon enclosure for one gecko, although a 20 gallon long does so much better.
They need temperatures aroung 86F-88F, which is easiest to achieve by a properly sized and used under tank heater. They really don't need an overhead light, unless you want to stimulate a day/night scenario, and because they are nocturnal AFT's don't need UV lighting.
Besides a slightly lower enclosure temperature, the other main difference between African fat tail geckos and leopard geckos is the humidity level. They require a higher humidity. You can best achieve this by providing a humid hide that is kept moist at all times. If you opt to spray the cage, you make the entire cage wet, and can possible have the humidity a little too high. With the moist humid hide, the gecko can use it as needed.
(Yes leopard gecko need a humid hide as well, but you only keep it moist when the leopard gecko is going to shed.)
As for substrate and decor... You'll need 2 hides plus the humid hide, a water bowl, and a calcium dish; if you have an AFT that is mealworm trained, then you'll want to add a bowl for mealworms, although most African fat tails prefer crickets or captive bred roaches such as dubia or discoid nymphs.
You'll want to use a solid substrate, such as paper towels, tile, shelf liner, as if you opt for a loose substrate- sand, dirt, moss, etc- you will increase the impaction risks.
African fat tails do not come in as many morphs and varieties as leopard geckos. Currently, you'll find Banded, Stripe, Amelanistic, White Socks, Patternless, Striped Patternless, and a few others. The cheaper morphs are the Banded and Striped African fat tails. You're not going to find the others in a pet store.
These guys are just a tad smaller, in length, than leopard geckos, and a tad bulkier.
Normal Banded AFT
As for husbandry, AFT's need a minimum of a 10 gallon enclosure for one gecko, although a 20 gallon long does so much better.
They need temperatures aroung 86F-88F, which is easiest to achieve by a properly sized and used under tank heater. They really don't need an overhead light, unless you want to stimulate a day/night scenario, and because they are nocturnal AFT's don't need UV lighting.
Besides a slightly lower enclosure temperature, the other main difference between African fat tail geckos and leopard geckos is the humidity level. They require a higher humidity. You can best achieve this by providing a humid hide that is kept moist at all times. If you opt to spray the cage, you make the entire cage wet, and can possible have the humidity a little too high. With the moist humid hide, the gecko can use it as needed.
(Yes leopard gecko need a humid hide as well, but you only keep it moist when the leopard gecko is going to shed.)
As for substrate and decor... You'll need 2 hides plus the humid hide, a water bowl, and a calcium dish; if you have an AFT that is mealworm trained, then you'll want to add a bowl for mealworms, although most African fat tails prefer crickets or captive bred roaches such as dubia or discoid nymphs.
You'll want to use a solid substrate, such as paper towels, tile, shelf liner, as if you opt for a loose substrate- sand, dirt, moss, etc- you will increase the impaction risks.
Het Amel AFT
African fat tails do not come in as many morphs and varieties as leopard geckos. Currently, you'll find Banded, Stripe, Amelanistic, White Socks, Patternless, Striped Patternless, and a few others. The cheaper morphs are the Banded and Striped African fat tails. You're not going to find the others in a pet store.
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