Scaly friends count too.

African Fat-tailed Gecko

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

Also called Fat-tail gecko, Westafrikanischer Krallengecko (German)

SpeciesShort profile

From West Africa, from Senegal east to Nigeria and northern Cameroon. Lives in dry Sahel and in wet or dry savannah, sheltering in dark humid spots such as termite mounds, burrows and under rocks or logs.1 2 3

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Length18 to 25 cm1 3

Lifespan15 to 20 years1 3

Sizesmall

Calm and tolerant to handle

Long-lived companion

Modest space and lighting needs

3 1

Looks how to spot one

Ground-dwelling eyelid gecko with a plump fat-storing tail

A sturdy, soft-skinned gecko that lives on the ground rather than on walls. Its eyes have movable lids and vertical pupils, and its toes lack the sticky pads of climbing geckos. The thick tail works as a pantry, holding fat that keeps the animal going between meals. A tail that has been dropped grows back smoother and rounder than the original ringed one.1 3

ColoursBrown and tan or beige bandsThin white stripe down the back on some animalsPale pink to off-white bellyMany captive-bred colour morphs1

Personality what they are like

A gentle, unhurried gecko that usually accepts calm handling once settled. It is active at night and spends the day tucked away in a hide. Keepers are advised to give a new gecko about two weeks to settle, then start with short sessions of around five minutes.3 1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Strictly nocturnal; explores and hunts after dark. Needs floor space to roam rather than height, since it cannot climb smooth vertical surfaces.1 3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Provide a humid hide at all times to help with shedding and hydration. Never grab the tail, as it can detach. A seasonal cooler period from about November to March is recommended in ReptiFiles' guide.3

Home where they are happiest

A wide, terrestrial enclosure of at least about 91 x 46 x 46 cm (36 x 18 x 18 in), larger preferred. Warm-season targets: warm hide 32-34 C (90-94 F), cool side and nights 22-25 C (72-77 F), humidity 70-80% by day and near 100% at night. Around 10 cm of soil and sand substrate. UVB is optional but a low-strength UVB lamp and a 12-hour day cycle are suggested.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insect eater. Offer crickets, roaches, mealworms and silkworms dusted with calcium. Juveniles eat daily, young adults every 2-3 days and adults roughly every 5 days.3 1

Company who they like around

Best kept alone. Pairs can work in a large enclosure, but males in particular do not share space well.3

The story where it all began

French zoologist Auguste Duméril described the species in 1851, with Senegal as the type locality. Its name refers to the banded, girdled look of the tail. Long overshadowed by its cousin the leopard gecko, it has steadily gained a following among keepers.2 1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Unlike most geckos it can blink, because it has movable eyelids.1
2
Its fat-filled tail lets it go for days without eating.1
3
The sex of the hatchlings is set by the temperature at which the eggs incubate.2
4
The genus name Hemitheconyx comes from Greek words meaning roughly 'half-sheath claw'.2

Recognised by the official bits

The Reptile Database: Valid species Hemitheconyx caudicinctus (Duméril, 1851), family Eublepharidae (eyelid geckos)2
IUCN Red List: Least Concern1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a African Fat-tailed Gecko. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Fresh waterevery day
Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
Spot cleanevery day
FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
Weigh inevery month
Full cleanevery month
Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my African Fat-tailed Gecko?

Feeding frequency depends on age. Juveniles eat daily, young adults every 2-3 days, and adults roughly every 5 days. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests following the schedule that matches your gecko's age and consulting your vet for adjustments.3 1 Furry Diary plan

What does an African Fat-tailed Gecko eat, and what should it never eat?

It eats insects like crickets, roaches, mealworms, and silkworms, all dusted with calcium. Never feed it wild-caught insects or any vertebrate prey, as these can cause health issues. Always ask your vet for a complete list of safe foods.3 1

How much space does an African Fat-tailed Gecko need?

A wide, terrestrial enclosure of at least 91 x 46 x 46 cm (36 x 18 x 18 in) is recommended, with larger being better. It needs floor space to roam rather than height, since it cannot climb smooth vertical surfaces.3 1

What temperature, light or water does an African Fat-tailed Gecko need?

Warm-season targets are a warm hide at 32-34°C (90-94°F) and a cool side at 22-25°C (72-77°F), with humidity 70-80% by day and near 100% at night. A low-strength UVB lamp with a 12-hour day cycle is suggested, and fresh water should be provided daily. Furry Diary's plan includes daily temperature checks and fresh water.3 Furry Diary plan

How often should I clean an African Fat-tailed Gecko's home?

Spot clean daily and do a full clean once a month, as in Furry Diary's starting plan. This keeps the habitat healthy and reduces the risk of illness. Furry Diary plan

Can an African Fat-tailed Gecko live with others?

It is best kept alone. Pairs can work in a large enclosure, but males in particular do not share space well. Always monitor any cohabitation closely.3

How long does an African Fat-tailed Gecko live?

With proper care, they typically live 15 to 20 years. This is a long-term commitment, so be prepared to provide consistent care throughout their life.3 1

Can I handle an African Fat-tailed Gecko?

Yes, it is a gentle gecko that usually accepts calm handling once settled. Give a new gecko about two weeks to settle, then start with short sessions of around five minutes. Never grab the tail, as it can detach.3 1

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

African fat-tailed gecko - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, size, lifespan, body, colours, behaviour, IUCN, fun facts
Hemitheconyx caudicinctus - The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.czused for taxonomy, distribution, names, TSD, etymology
African Fat-Tailed Gecko Care Sheet - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for care, habitat, diet, social needs, temperament, size, lifespan
VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.