Scaly friends count too.
Chahoua Gecko
Mniarogekko chahoua
Also called Mossy Prehensile-tailed Gecko, Bavay's Giant Gecko, Short-snouted New Caledonian Gecko, Chewie
From New Caledonia (southern Grande Terre and Île des Pins)1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Total length including tail
Looks how to spot one
scales
Velvety skin with a mottled pattern of green, brown, pink and grey that looks like moss or lichen. They have a large triangular head, blunt snout, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, sticky toe pads with claws, and a strong prehensile tail.12
Personality what they are like
Chahoua geckos are generally calm and can become quite tame with regular gentle handling. They are individualistic, so some may be more nervous than others, but with patience they usually become comfortable with their keeper.45
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Nocturnal and arboreal. They need plenty of climbing space with branches, cork bark and sturdy plants. They spend little time on the ground.25
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low maintenance. Provide a water bowl and mist the enclosure regularly to maintain humidity at 60-75%. Clean the enclosure as needed and remove uneaten food.3
Home where they are happiest
A vertical terrarium is essential. Minimum for an adult is 60 x 60 x 90 cm (24 x 24 x 36 inches). Use a substrate like coconut coir or bioactive bedding, provide hiding spots, branches and live plants. Humidity should be 60-75%, temperature around 22-26°C. They are not venomous or illegal to keep in most countries, but always check local laws.23
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivorous. In captivity they thrive on a staple of fruit-based meal replacement powder (e.g. Crested Gecko Diet) offered every other day for adults, plus live insects (crickets, roaches, locusts) dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements every other day.23
Company who they like around
Best housed alone unless breeding. Males should never be kept together. A breeding pair can be housed together only after reaching sexual maturity. Watch for aggression and separate if needed.3
The story where it all began
The Chahoua gecko was first described in 1869 by French pharmacist and herpetologist Arthur Bavay as Platydactylus chahoua. It is native to New Caledonia and has become a popular pet in recent decades due to its beautiful moss-like camouflage and calm nature. Most animals in the pet trade are now captive-bred.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Chahoua 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
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Chahoua Gecko?
Adult Chahoua geckos do well with a fruit-based meal replacement powder offered every other day, plus live insects dusted with calcium and vitamins every other day. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding frequency depends on species and age.23 Furry Diary plan
What does a Chahoua Gecko eat, and what should it never eat?
They thrive on a fruit-based meal replacement powder (like Crested Gecko Diet) and live insects such as crickets, roaches, or locusts, all dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements. Avoid feeding anything not on this list; always consult your vet for a complete safe diet.23
How much space does a Chahoua Gecko need?
A vertical terrarium is essential, with a minimum of 60 x 60 x 90 cm (24 x 24 x 36 inches) for an adult. They need plenty of climbing space with branches, cork bark, and sturdy plants.23
What temperature, light or water does a Chahoua Gecko need?
Keep the temperature around 22, 26°C and humidity at 60, 75%. Provide a water bowl and mist the enclosure regularly. UVB lighting is recommended; Furry Diary's plan suggests changing the bulb every 180 days, following the maker's advice.23 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Chahoua Gecko's home?
Spot clean daily and remove uneaten food. A full clean every 30 days is recommended by Furry Diary's plan. Clean the enclosure as needed to keep it fresh.3 Furry Diary plan
Can a Chahoua Gecko live with others?
They are best housed alone unless breeding. Males should never be kept together. A breeding pair can be housed together only after reaching sexual maturity, but watch for aggression and separate if needed.3
How long does a Chahoua Gecko live?
With proper care, they can live 15 to 20 years. That's a wonderful long-term commitment!132
Can I handle a Chahoua Gecko?
Yes, they are generally calm and can become quite tame with regular gentle handling. Some may be more nervous than others, but patience usually helps them feel comfortable with you.45
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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New Caledonian Giant GeckoLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
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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.
- en.wikipedia.org: Mniarogekko chahoua en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, history, fun fact
- reptifiles.com: chahoua gecko care sheet reptifiles.comused for length cm, lifespan years, coat or body, colours, activity needs, habitat needs, diet basics
- joshsfrogs.com: mniarogekko chahoua care of the mossy prehensile tailed gecko aka chew joshsfrogs.comused for weight kg, lifespan years, grooming or care, habitat needs, diet basics, social needs
- geckopantry.co.uk: chahoua mossy gecko care sheet geckopantry.co.ukused for best traits, temperament
- snaketracks.com: chahoua gecko snaketracks.comused for best traits, temperament, activity needs
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz: chahoua reptile-database.reptarium.cz
- zenhabitats.com: chahoua gecko care sheet reptifiles zenhabitats.com
- geckos.com: care sheet geckos.com
- 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 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.