Chinese Cave Gecko Enclosure

The Chinese Cave Gecko, scientific name Goniurosaurus luii, is a species of gecko native to China. It is commonly found in limestone caves and rocky habitats in the Guangxi and Guangdong provinces of southern China.

These geckos are known for their striking appearance, featuring a mottled pattern of brown, black, and white markings. Like many geckos, they have specialized toe pads that allow them to climb vertical surfaces with ease.

Species Summary

The Chinese cave gecko (Goniurosaurus Hainanensis) is a nocturnal lizard species native to China, primarily found in limestone caves and karst environments. Known for its striking appearance, it features a dark, velvety body with vivid orange or yellow bands and spots, making it highly sought after in the pet trade.

These geckos are terrestrial and rely on their strong limbs and toes for climbing rocky surfaces. They are insectivorous, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates. Unfortunately, habitat loss and collection pressures have made them vulnerable, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to ensure their survival in the wild.

Description

Medium-sized gecko, usually around 4 to 6 inches in length.
Characterized by its striking coloration, which can vary from brown to black with vivid yellow or orange bands or spots.
Like other cave geckos, it has specialized toe pads that allow it to climb vertical surfaces.
Nocturnal and secretive, it prefers to spend its days hiding in rock crevices or caves

Diet

In the wild, Chinese Cave Geckos primarily feed on insects such as crickets, mealworms, and small spiders.

Reproduction

Chinese Cave Geckos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of the Chinese Cave Gecko is currently listed as Least Concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Threats

While they are not currently facing significant threats, habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade are potential concerns.

Interesting Fact

Chinese Cave Geckos are popular among reptile enthusiasts and are sometimes kept as pets. However, they require specific care, including a humid environment and a diet of live insects.

Lifespan

The Chinese cave gecko (Goniurosaurus luii) typically lives for around 10 to 20 years in captivity with proper care. However, some individuals have been known to live even longer, up to 25 years or more. Providing the right environment, diet, and care is essential for ensuring a long and healthy life for these geckos.

Appearance & Colors

Size: Adults typically measure around 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) in total length.

Coloration: Chinese cave geckos have a striking appearance with vibrant colors. They typically have a base color of dark brown or black, adorned with bright yellow or orange bands or spots. These bands and spots can vary in intensity and pattern from one individual to another.

Eyes: Their eyes are large and have vertical pupils, which is typical of nocturnal lizards.

Tail: They have a relatively short, thick tail that may also have bands or spots matching the coloration of the body.

Average Size

The average size of a Chinese Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus luii) is around 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 centimeters) in length, with some individuals growing slightly larger.

Chinese Cave Gecko Care

The Chinese Cave Gecko, a nocturnal and exotic reptile, requires a well-maintained environment to thrive. They prefer enclosures mimicking their natural habitat, such as tanks with plenty of hiding spots, branches, and moss to retain humidity levels between 60-80%. Temperatures should range between 68-78°F, avoiding extreme heat as they are sensitive to high temperatures.

Provide a shallow water dish for hydration and mist the enclosure regularly. Their diet consists of live insects like crickets and mealworms, dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements. Handle these geckos minimally, as they are shy and stressed easily.

Enclosure: A 10-gallon tank can house a single gecko, but a larger enclosure is preferable.

Substrate: Coconut fiber or sphagnum moss works well.

Hiding spots: Provide plenty of hiding spots using rocks, cork bark, or commercially available hides.

Temperature: Maintain a temperature gradient of 75-85°F (24-29°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night.

Humidity: Keep humidity levels around 60-70%.

Lighting: Geckos are nocturnal and do not require UVB lighting.

Feeding: Chinese cave geckos are insectivores. Feed them a variety of appropriately sized insects, such as crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and small superworms.

Gentle handling: Chinese cave geckos can be delicate, so handle them gently and infrequently.

Hand-washing: Always wash your hands before and after handling to prevent the spread of bacteria.

Quarantine New Additions: Always quarantine new geckos before introducing them to an existing collection.

Enclosure Size

The Chinese cave gecko (Goniurosaurus luii) is a relatively small species of gecko, so you don’t need a massive enclosure for them. For a single adult Chinese cave gecko, a 10-gallon terrarium (approximately 20 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 12 inches tall) should be sufficient.

However, if you plan to keep multiple geckos or want to provide more space for enrichment, you may opt for a larger enclosure, such as a 20-gallon-long terrarium. Make sure to include plenty of hiding spots, climbing structures, and places to explore within the enclosure.

Recommended Habitat Setup

Enclosure:

Material: Glass enclosures are preferable for better heat retention and easier maintenance.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent stagnant air.

Substrate: Coconut fiber or eco-earth mixed with sphagnum moss.

Depth: 2-3 inches to allow for burrowing.

Temperature

Daytime Temperature: 75-85°F (24-29°C).

Basking Area Temperature: 88-92°F (31-33°C).

Nighttime Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C).

Lighting

UVB Lighting: Essential for calcium metabolism.

12 Hours on/off Cycle: Mimic natural day-night cycle.

Humidity

Daytime Humidity: 50-70%.

Nighttime Humidity: 80-90%.

Misting: Spray enclosure 1-2 times daily.

Hideouts

Multiple Hides: Provide at least two hides, one at the warm end and one at the cooler end.

Cork Bark: Offers hiding spots and climbing surfaces.

Live Plants: Ficus, pothos, or Sansevieria.

Clean Water: Change daily.

Diet

Insects: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and waxworms.

Lighting

Provide a natural day-night cycle with a 12-hour light and 12-hour dark cycle.
Use low-level lighting for viewing during the day, such as a low-wattage LED light.

Humidity

The Chinese cave gecko, also known as Goniurosaurus hainanensis, requires a high humidity level to thrive in captivity. Ideally, the humidity in their enclosure should be maintained between 60% and 80%. Additionally, providing hiding spots with damp moss can help maintain the necessary humidity levels for the Chinese cave gecko.

Water

Despite its name, it is not exclusively found in caves but also inhabits forests and rocky areas. As for water, like all living creatures, they need it to survive. However, they do not typically spend a lot of time in water. Instead, they get most of their hydration from the moisture in their environment and their food.

Food & Diet

In captivity, they can be fed a diet consisting of various insects, including crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches. It’s also recommended to provide them with a variety of feeder insects to ensure they receive a balanced diet.

Some owners also provide occasional treats such as pinkie mice or baby food (fruit or vegetable puree) for added variety and nutritional enrichment. However, insects should remain the staple of their diet.

Always make sure that any insects fed to the gecko are appropriately sized. Additionally, it’s crucial to dust their food with calcium and vitamin supplements to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients.

Potential Health Issues

Respiratory Infections: These can be caused by inadequate humidity levels or poor ventilation.

Parasites: Internal parasites such as worms or protozoa can affect geckos.

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): Caused by a lack of calcium, vitamin D3, or inadequate UVB lighting. MBD can lead to deformities, soft bones, and fractures.

Dysecdysis (Difficulty Shedding): Inadequate humidity levels can lead to incomplete shedding, which can cause problems such as retained shed on toes or tail tips, leading to constrictions and potentially necrosis.

Overheating: Chinese cave geckos need a gradient of temperatures in their enclosure. Overheating can lead to stress, decreased appetite, and ultimately, heat stroke.

Obesity: Overfeeding and lack of exercise can lead to obesity in Chinese cave geckos, which can cause various health issues, including fatty liver disease.

Stomatitis: This is an infection of the mouth that can be caused by poor husbandry, leading to swollen gums, pus, and difficulty eating.

Behavior & Temperament

Nocturnal: Chinese cave geckos are primarily active at night, hunting for small insects and other invertebrates.

Territorial: It’s best to house them individually or in pairs in a sufficiently large terrarium.

Shy: Chinese cave geckos can be shy and may hide during the day, preferring to come out and explore their surroundings at night.

Docile: While they may be shy, they are generally docile and can become quite tame with regular, gentle handling.

Basking: Although they are primarily nocturnal, Chinese cave geckos may bask under a heat lamp or UVB light during the day to regulate their body temperature.

Handling Them

When handling Chinese cave geckos, it’s important to be gentle and avoid sudden movements to prevent stressing them out.