Scientific Name: Hemidactylus turcicis
Other Common Name: Turkish Gecko
Range: Islands and coastal regions of the Mediterranean islands, southwestern Asia, southward to Kenya in Africa, and eastward to India. They’ve also been introduced to southeast U.S. and Mexico.
Habitat: They may be found under rocks and palm fronds, behind the bark of fallen trees, in cracks in dry walls, crevices in rocky outcrops, and among human habitation.
Total Length: 4-5.5 inches
Sex Determination: Males have a shorter, broader head, preanal pores, and the sheaths with the hemipenises. Mature males have two swellings at the base of the tail which may come outwards in a small bony projection (sometimes visible from above). Females do not have this double swelling. They are identified by the presence of developing eggs which can be seen through the belly skin.
Egg-Laying: One or to months after breeding, you will be able to see the eggs through the female’s belly. When the day of egg-laying nears, the female will dig test holes in many places. She will continue doing this until one of these test holes meets with her approval. Then egg-laying will begin. Females will usually lay two (rarely three) eggs up to three times a year. This isn’t always true with young females, whose first few cluthes may consist of single eggs. The eggs are soft and sticky when first laid but will harden later. They are often attached to tree bark, tree hollows, where bark is missing from a trunk, a rock in a secluded place, rock clefts, and in crevices.
[snip left][/snip]Egg Care: You should remove the eggs (including the substrate they are attached to) and put them in an incubator (which should be standing ready). Be careful not to change the position of the eggs while removing them. The embryo may be smothered by the yolk if the position of the egg is later changed. If the eggs are attached to the side of the terrarium, tape a plastic cup or dish over the eggs. This will protect the eggs or the hatchlings from being harmed or eaten by the adults.
The maturation time in an incubator is about 45-60 days at 79-90 degrees F. The young will hatch in 2-6 months under normal conditions. It is a good idea to use the lower temperature for a longer maturation time. The young are then hardier and grow more quickly than lizards matured at the higher temperature. The sex of the young is determined by the incubation temperature (higher temperatures produce only males).
Young Care: We heard that juveniles are rather sensitive and not very easy to raise. If you want more information on taking care of young lizards in general, click here!
Care In Captivity:
Other Information: These geckos are pretty active at dusk and by night.
If they are attacked or disturbed, their tail will fall off.
These geckos live in loose groups. They have their own territory but also need the nearness of other geckos, to greet, threaten, or court.
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