Mourning Gecko

Looks how to spot one

scales

Mourning geckos have soft, velvety skin with a translucent cream to yellow belly. They have a dark stripe running from the nostril to the eye (and sometimes to the ear) on each side of the head, and a series of dark W-shaped or chevron-like markings down the back and tail. Their colour ranges from pale beige to dark tan, and they can change shade (fire up/down) depending on mood and temperature.346

Personality what they are like

Mourning geckos are social and generally peaceful with each other, forming a hierarchy without serious aggression. They are fast and easily stressed by handling, so they are best kept as display animals. They communicate with chirps and squeaks, and use body language like back arching and tail wiggling.15

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They are cathemeral (active irregularly day and night) but mostly active at night. They need plenty of climbing branches, vines and foliage to explore. A bioactive setup with live plants is ideal to reduce stress and maintenance.46

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very low maintenance. They shed their skin naturally and do not require bathing. The main care tasks are maintaining humidity (60-90%), providing fresh food and water, and cleaning the enclosure. A bioactive setup with clean-up crew invertebrates greatly reduces cleaning needs.61

Home where they are happiest

Minimum enclosure for up to 3 geckos is 30x30x45 cm (12x12x18 inches). They need a basking area of 80-85°F, cool zone 70-75°F, and night temperatures 65-72°F. Humidity must be kept between 60-90% with daily misting. Provide lots of branches, vines and hiding spots. A bioactive terrarium with live plants is strongly recommended.61

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivorous. In captivity they thrive on a powdered crested gecko diet (CGD) offered 2-3 times per week, plus live insects (small crickets, fruit flies, bean beetles) dusted with calcium and vitamins 2-3 times per week. They also enjoy small amounts of fruit puree.65

Company who they like around

They are a social species and should not be kept alone. A small colony of 3-5 adults in a suitably sized enclosure is ideal. They are parthenogenic (all female) and will reproduce without a male, so the population can grow quickly. They are not suitable for handling; they are best enjoyed as a display animal.615

The story where it all began

Mourning geckos are native to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific islands, but have spread across tropical regions worldwide as stowaways in cargo and plants. They have been kept in captivity for many years, valued for their simple care and fascinating all-female, parthenogenic reproduction. They are often used as feeder lizards for larger reptiles, but are also popular as display pets in bioactive vivaria.342

Recognised by the official bits

ITIS

Lepidodactylus lugubris is recognised as a valid species within the family Gekkonidae.7