How to Care for Geckos in Australia

Australian geckos can be domesticated and raised in a terrarium inside a home. They come in various shapes and sizes, but the same basic rules must be followed to safely care for the gecko and ensure that it has a long life. Geckos make great pets for those who don't have a big yard or are not permitted to have larger pets.

Things You'll Need

  • Terrarium
  • Bedding
  • Water dish
  • Heat lamp
  • Basking lamp
  • Live insects
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a terrarium for the gecko before attempting to catch or buy it. Cover the floor of the terrarium with reptile-friendly bedding, such as gravel, and include natural elements for the gecko to climb on, like rocks and foliage.

    • 2

      Position a heat lamp over the terrarium to keep it warm at all times. The terrarium must simulate the gecko's natural habitat, which is warm.

    • 3

      Set a basking lamp where it provides the gecko with an area that's hotter than the rest of the terrarium. This will allow the gecko to bask, as it would in on a large rock on a hot day in its natural environment.

    • 4

      Include a water source. A water dish or, ideally, a small patch of running water will provide the gecko with an area to go to get wet and bask near the water, something it needs.

    • 5

      Buy or catch a gecko and place it in the terrarium.

    • 6

      Feed the gecko a diet of live insects. You can catch your own insects using an insect trap or buy them from a pet store.