Essential Tips for Owning a Panther Gecko
Are you thinking about buying a Panther Gecko? Here is the list of things you should know before getting this creature as your pet.
What Is A Panther Gecko?
In order to know what a panther gecko is, first, we need to understand what geckos are. A gecko is basically a small lizard belonging to the warm climates of the world. They are prominent among the reptile, lizard family, as they are known for their vocalizations, varying from species to species.
As all species have various types, this means geckos are also of many types that may include:
- Crested gecko
- Flying gecko
- Mediterranean gecko
- Giant day gecko
We are talking about a panther gecko, also known as Madagascar ground gecko, with the scientific name of Paroedura androyensis. Their name refers to their tiny size. These are prioritized when it comes to keeping a gecko as a pet, for beginners especially.
Before getting a Panther Gecko, you should familiarize yourself with the following information. Let’s get started!
Behaviour And Temperament
The panther gecko is an exotic animal, but they can be trained to be good pets if bred and raised in captivity. They can be jumpy and defensive when young, but as they grow older, they can be friendly as well and prove to be good company.
Even when they grow into adult life or one year plus age, they mostly don't like to be held or petted, but you can show affection by keeping them very carefully and trying not to squish them. They are very timid and fragile and love to be on their own in shady or hidden moist places.
Beware not to keep a gecko your pet if they were born and raised in the wild because they won't be tamed at home then, leading to difficulties. They are not a very good choice for kids as children like interactive animals who can be held and cuddled with.
Appearance And Color
Typically, brown, they have black markings on them with large eyes. Their eyes seem to be adorable for the people who keep them.
Their remarkable color choices help them survive in the wild very well, and they can camouflage and not fall prey to bigger animals very easily. As for our concerns, as pets, they seem to be the center of attraction due to their large spots and aberrant bandings.
Habitat Of Origin
They are most likely to be found in rocky environments such as rock crevices or tropical rainforests and can have several microhabitats. These are precisely found in all habitats except for Antarctica.
Lifespan
The life span of these creatures may be from 6 to 10 years on average, but they may also reach an age of 15 years in the wild. Their life simply depends on their health and diet. The more affectionately you grow them, the easier it is for them to survive.
Size Of Growth
They can normally be 4 to 6 inches long, but some males can even be 10 inches in length.
Housing
Their small size and habits demand to have large enough places to stroll and have places where they can hide, play, and rest.
The Size of the house should be eight by eight by 8 (enclosure), which is most probably a 10-gallon tank that is sufficient for one panther gecko to live freely in complete peace. If you wish to keep more than one gecko at the same place, you need to increase the size of the tank or housing. Replace the 10-gallon tank with 20 gallons for two geckos and keep changing the size, respectively. Or you can build a bigger enclosure, maybe 12 by 12 by 12, mentioning all three dimensions.
Remember never to keep two males in the same tank or house because they are aggressive and competitive and might fight and hurt each other. You can keep multiple females with the male at the same time in the same place.
As for the juvenile geckos, you need to keep many of them, maybe 3 or 4, at the same place; otherwise, they may be stressed, and it may not be healthy enough for their growth.
Substrate. It is the material kept on the surface as a base of the housing and provides a ground for providing them a habitat.
Substrate is mostly a natural substance made up of jungle material, twigs, and sticks. The material used may be coco fiber-based substrates that may provide the best environment in captivity. A bioactive substrate can be made using bio bedding with springtails and isopods that are additional food sources.
The bedding should be kept moist, and dry spots should also be maintained, especially when breeding. Reptile carpeting is also available at the pet shops that can be cut to the size of your gecko tanks. Live plants are always prioritized to keep the surroundings as natural as possible.
By the way here is a good video of how to build vivarium for your gecko.
Humidity
Mostly moist environments with up to 60% humidity are suitable for the panther gecko's standard living and healthy growth. This humidity is specifically good for their shedding season. This can be maintained by using humidifiers and mist fans, etc. you can also place clean water bowls for drinking water to keep them hydrated and the environment humid.
Heat and Temperature Maintenance
Heat is a very important factor in nurturing these animals' growth as they grow in specific temperature ranges. Their temperature should be maintained at 75 to 80 F. Even at night; it should not drop below 70 F as it can prove fatal.
Heat can be maintained in their tanks by several methods that may include light bulbs, low wattage heat pads, and other small and handy heat machines. This can artificially maintain their environment up to the mark.
Now, this is not necessary all the time and is not applicable at all places. This is so because some areas already have the temperature maintained according to their needs. But still, if you want to attain a perfect atmosphere and avoid any fluctuations in temperature, you can always use these heat providers. This will keep your little friend safe from any discomfort.
You can use covered heat sources like the ceramic ones at night as they are feasible and help provide non disturbed good sleep to the gecko!
Light Management
This is not a very worrisome factor when it comes to the captive growth of your tiny reptile fellas, as they are already habitual of living in shady and hidden places. So even when in the wild, they don't get or need much sunlight. If you want to provide them with light, you are always welcome to place ultraviolet light sources as they are not harmful.
If your panther gecko isn't eating or is lethargic, you might want to try placing UV light as it can help in this regard.
Feeding Requirements
Food and water are the main requirements of any living thing as they are the basis of survival. As for panther geckos, they are insectivores that mean they can survive on insects, mainly crickets.
As they are small in size, we need to monitor and provide specific small insects to these animals. As a reference, the veterinarians suggest giving bugs or insects the same size as space between to eyes of a panther gecko, but this is only a vague notion or a reference. When you deal with them, you come to know about their dietary needs automatically.
Diet Variation For Younger To Adult Geckos
It is usually recommended providing the hatching or young (juvenile) panther geckos with pinheaded or small crickets, and you can increase the size as they grow older.
Another interesting fact about their diet is that they are attracted more towards the moving insects than dead provided food. This is a part of their innate, natural training.
Nutritional Needs
Like all other living species, the panther geckos also have their nutrition requirements, and this comprises vitamins and various minerals. Their feed can fulfill them, or sometimes you have to give extra supplements that are only upon recommendation of a veterinarian.
We provide them with crickets or bugs because they are very fulfilling and gut-loaded, which means that they provide a good nutritional deal. You can also feed them on Hyde fruit flies and bean beetles. Juveniles can also be fed on dwarf white isopods and springtails. These are natural bugs that can also be used as a substrate in their housing.
Health Concerns
The health concerns of the geckos are related to their shedding or stressed conditions and may also include parasitic infestations or nutritional deficiencies in the panther geckos.
Shedding is promoted by humidity, and if not done properly, it may cause excessive skin growth and may hinder proper hearing. May also cause handicapped motion by covering limbs.
Parasitic infestations on panther geckos are usually shown by dry white spots instead of black spots. Another common disease is metabolic bone disease that can prove fatal if left untreated.
Why A Panther Gecko Makes a Good Pet?
For people who love to keep exotic animals as pets, a panther gecko is a good choice due their interesting markings and ease of care. They are also very convenient to be kept at home.
Now, if you're wondering about keeping an exotic pet, choose no other but a panther gecko!
