Mourning Geckos?

zimbabwepegasus · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 10:20 PM

I ended up picking up two of these guys and was wondering if anyone knew much about them or of a good care sheet?

Thanks!

- Kerry

jeosbo01 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 10:32 PM

Here are the best ones I have found...

GGA Lepidodactylus lugubris
and after you translate (link on left side)
http://www.lepidodactylus.lugubris.de.vu/

I have three of these little guys (girls I guess...there are no males known) and they seem to be very easy to care for.

_Sam_ · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 10:58 PM

wow, those look really interesting...

zimbabwepegasus · #4 (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 11:20 PM

Thanks!

jeosbo01 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

wow, those look really interesting...

They are pretty cool little lizards. The only issue I have had with them so far is food size. They only get a few inches long and need small crix or fruitflies etc. I find them to be well worth the trouble though.

LouMuz · #6 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 03:46 PM

WHOA!
i'm pretty sure parthenogenesis is a pretty big deal in vertebrates. i'll have run that by some of the people here because that's awesome.

parthenogenesis is reproduction without fertilization from a male. this usually occurs when conditions are ideal, and no males are produced. however when conditions become harsh, the females produce haploid male and female offspring that reproduce sexually to increase genetic diversity and possibly provide a better chance of surviving in the harsh conditions. the triploid individuals described in that link could be due to a haploid male mating with a diploid female. This is very very cool, and i'm a big nerd, but still super cool!

jeosbo01 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

i'm pretty sure parthenogenesis is a pretty big deal in vertebrates

It is a huge deal I think. I'm amazed these lizards are not more popular because of it!

zimbabwepegasus · #8 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 05:31 PM

I know, I scan my cage every day hoping to find some eggs. Even though I'm sure they need to settle in first at least.
Given their range, I'd guess they are either pretty prolific breeders or super hardy.
I got them off craigslist for $10. And I guess one of them had laid before cause he found eggs when he was grabbing them for me.

So last night I ran to the store and got a hotter light for them so their tank temps are all in the 70s now.
I have no idea where the heck they are. I mean this tank kept a baby corn in, so I'm pretty confident they didn't get out- but I can't find them to save my soul. I put some baby food in this morning, so maybe that will solve the "are the geckos even in there" mystery!

BWSmith · #9 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 05:59 PM

They are fun little critters. I got a half dozen or so a couple years ago. They are probably not that popular just because they ARE parthenogenic and so prolific. I got them as feeders for like $5 each.

jeosbo01 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-30-2008, 06:02 PM

Mine seem to like to hide in cracks in the wood I have in there for them, they climb in and basically become invisible. I have heard from a few people that they are escape artists and can squeez through the smallest openings. I actually keep mine in an exo-terra that I modified to contain fruit flies for dart frogs. I am actaully able to make the thing nearly air tight in about 10 minutes if I want to!

Advertisement