How to Care for a Hatchling House Gecko

House geckos are small, timid lizards that are common pets because they are easy and inexpensive to care for. However, because they are timid and can move very fast, they do best as decorative pets. If handled, they can easily become frightened and they can escape, possibly hurting themselves in the process. Hatchling house geckos need to be given particular care.

Things You'll Need

  • Terrarium
  • Houses
  • Plants
  • Sticks
  • Substrate
  • Basking lamp
  • Lighting
  • Mister
  • Crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, waxworms
  • Water bowl
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the new gecko with a terrarium that holds at least 10 gallons. A terrarium this size will be large enough to house the gecko when it is fully grown. Give the house gecko a terrarium that is tall rather than long, since house geckos are arboreal and enjoy climbing. Provide the gecko with several houses that it can hide in, and stock the enclosure with plants and sticks that the gecko will be able to climb. Cover the floor of the terrarium with newspaper, mulch, or another type of gecko substrate.

    • 2

      Provide the house gecko with warm temperatures and enough lighting. The majority of the terrarium should be heated to the high 70s during the day, while a basking lamp should be used to heat one spot up to the high 80s. At night, the temperature should be between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist the terrarium regularly to ensure that the humidity level never falls beneath 65 percent. Give the house gecko at least 12 hours of daylight each day.

    • 3

      Provide the house gecko with insects such as crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, and waxworms. Ensure that the insects provided have been raised well so that they provide the gecko with enough nutrients. Feed the newly hatched gecko once a day. When it reaches adulthood, feed it every other day. Make sure that the food provided is small enough for the gecko to swallow. Give the house gecko vitamin and calcium supplements as often as the supplement's packaging directs. Provide the gecko with a bowl of water. Fill the bowl deep enough that the gecko can drink out of it, but not so deep that the gecko will drown if it climbs in.

    • 4

      House the gecko alone and only introduce it to other geckos once its sex has been determined. Two geckos of the opposite sex can often live together, as can two females. Never put two males together, because they are very territorial and will fight. Provide a pair of geckos with a terrarium that holds at least 20 gallons.