Asian Flat Tailed House Gecko
(Cosymbotus platyurus)
Distribution
This species of gecko is has a wide distribution in Asia including; Northern India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Burma, Philippines, Indonesia and has also been introduced into Florida. The escapees in Florida have escaped as pets and also arrived in amongst shipping crates. They commonly turn up in amongst shipments into the UK, although do not survive for long. This common species of Gecko is commonly imported for the Pet Trade, due to its cheapness. It is a small, yet fast species of gecko. It is sometimes also known as the Thailand House Gecko, Flat Tailed Gecko or the Asian House Gecko.
The males of this species make a clicking sound.
Size
They can reach sizes of up to 140mm in total body length, although the usual average size is around 90mm. The specimens for sale are usually adults.
Diet
This gecko eats a large variety of insects and larvae. The food should be kept as varied as possible in order to ensure proper nutrition. Will eat a variety of small flies and crickets. Also likes earthworms (and beetle / moth larvae). All of the food should be dusted with a calcium supplement and gut loaded prior to feeding. This species should be fed in the early evening.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This can be a guarded and thermostatically controlled low wattage reflector (green, red or blue) bulb or ceramic, heat mats are a useful extra source of heat.
- UV Light Source: - Require a 5.0 UVB light. This should be positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking reptile. It should be left on for 10 to 12 hours a day and replaced every 6 to 7 months. This will create a day and nighttime effect as well as give your lizard sufficient levels of UV in order to allow vitamin D3 synthesis.
- Housing: - This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. A vivarium measuring 45cm by 60cm by 90cm (18 inches by 2 foot by 3 foot) would be adequate for a pair of adults/small colony. Reptarium style enclosures can be used to good effect with this species as long as there are no drafts where the pen is situated. Hatchling geckos should be kept in a small fauna box or pen pal, within their future vivarium.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the enclosure. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. An artificial plant, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides. This species can be used to good effect with planted vivarium, as they do not create much mess.
Temperature
Daytime temperatures should be maintained between 21 - 31°C (70 - 88°F). Nighttime temperatures should be allowed to fall to between 17 - 22°C (62 - 72°F).
Humidity
This species requires moderate to high levels of humidity. Lightly misting the vivarium daily with tepid water is essential, as some wild caught specimens only drink droplets of moving water. A shallow bowl of fresh water should always be available for drinking and soaking, just in case.
Longevity
This species can live for between 5 and 6 years in captivity with some exceeding this, although most specimens are adults and wild caught so age is not usually known.
Substrate
A pine and cedar free bark mulch or potting soil (or a combination) is the best for this species as it aids in controlling the humidity of the enclosure.
N.B.
Males should be kept separately as they are territorial. This species of gecko is hyperactive and difficult to hold.
NB - Photograph and distribution map will be added soon.
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Cosymbotus_SP_platyurus']
Info on the Florida Population -
http://www.myfwc.com/critters/exotics/SpeciesNumberResults.asp?SPPNO=4
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