Does anyone have any information on caring for a pictus gecko?

Question

I would like to hear from people who have experience with this specie of gecko.

Answer 1

Horizontally oriented vivaria are the preferred housing for these geckos. Housing can be wooden or glass vivaria (18" or 24"L x 12"W x 10"H) or a large (18" x 12" x 7") perspex fauna box. High perches should be avoided as they do not survive falls readily. Several substrates have been experimented with regards Pictus geckos, and everyone has their favourite. I would strongly advise against sand of any type, as there is a danger of impaction.

Our preferred substrate medium is the recently available cocofibre substrate which, as well as being organic & sterile,has marvelous water-retaining qualities. This makes it ideal for retaining a dry top level whilst the lower levels retain moist - allowing for a good relative humidity.. A top layer of moss over a third of the enclosure provides a damp area for help with shedding as well as providing a more natural look

Furnishings should consist of a hide for security (half coconut shells are ideal) & a few corkbark pieces providing landscape levels.. Always provide a small waterbowl & refresh daily.

LIGHTING, TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
Pictus geckos require daytime temperatures in the range 27 - 31 degrees Celsius with a night time drop of 5 degrees and a relative humidity of between 50 - 80%. Background temperature can be achieved by placing a heatmat to cover one-third of the ground area controlled by a suitable thermostat.

Lighting has long been considered non-essential for nocturnal geckos, however I have noticed considerable differences in the health & well-being of Pictus by providing them with a mild UV emitting lamp, say 2%. Although considered nocturnal they are active at both dusk & dawn and are likely to have access to low levels of UV in the wild during this time Lighting should be cycled to mirror natural daylengths with 8 hours in mid-winter rising gradually to 16 hours in high summer. There are a variety of good-quality electronic timers which are ideal for maintaining these schedules

Humidity can be maintained by lightly spraying the vivarium with water daily.During summer months it may be necessary to spray more often. You should never allow the substrate to dry out completely and a bowl with fresh water should be available at all times

FEEDING
A high-quality varied diet of properly gut-loaded insects is the preferred Pictus diet.

Suitable insects include crickets as a staple - allowing 5 - 7 suitably sized crickets per feed - & locusts,& waxworms for variety.These should be dusted with a high-quality vitamin powder every other feed. Monitor food intake at every feed to ensure each gecko is receiving equal amounts. It is unfair to expect all food to be eaten immediately & we allow a few crickets to remain in with them for snacking as & when they choose.. Place a small piece of veg (carrot, fresh greens etc) in the viv to provide a food source for free range insects. This ensures your geckos are not attacked during sleep & also has the added benefit of providing top-up gutload for the insects.

Calcium is essential for the health of pictus and vital for growth of hatchlings& breeding females. Ground calcium can be placed in a small bowl in the viv for them to help themselves, but we prefer to sprinkle some around their mouths before lightly spraying them. As they lick the water from their faces they will also take in the calcium. Lack of calcium will result in weak limbs, fragile eggs & deformed hatchlings.
BEHAVIOUR :
As previously mentioned the Pictus gecko can be best observed at dusk & dawn - their preferred time for hunting. Feeding should be scheduled around these times As with most Geckos, males are extremely territorial in the presence of females. but juvenile males can sometimes be kept together if not subject to female contact.

Pictus geckos are equally at home if housed singly or as pairs or trios. If keeping more than one in the same viv, a pecking order will be established - so keep an eye on each individual regards food intake.Should bullying be noticed remove the weaker gecko & house separately, monitoring health & progress. Pictus geckos can be handled, although are quicker & more delicate than Leopard geckos.

If you want more info, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

Distribution: Southern Madagascar

Adult Size: 4 to 5 inches

Hatchlings: about 1"

Sexing: Males will have very pronounced hemipenile bulges. Males are also heavier bodied and have larger heads. Pictus geckos can be properly sexed at 8 weeks of age.

Active Period: Nocturnal (Night Dweller)


Housing


Cage: These small terrestrial geckos don't need a lot of cage space. A 10 gallon aquarium will be suitable for these geckos. They can also be kept in shoe boxes or sweater boxes for a rack system.

Substrate: Peat Moss, Forest Bed, and Bed-a-Beast. I found our geckos liked the coconut fiber (Forest Bed & Bed-a-Beast).

Decorations: Decorations can add a very natural look to the enclosure. Make sure to have some kind of a humid hide box for the geckos to hide in and have humidity to shed properly. If feeding crickets you don't want to many decorations because the crickets will hide and geckos will not be able to find them to eat.

Heat:
Day Temperature - around 85° F
Night Temperature - as low as 75° F
Hot Spot - up 88° F

Humidity: Pictus need a moderate humidity. They come from Madagascar a tropical area.


Food & Water

Staple Diet: Insectivores; will eat crickets, mealworms, small superworms, small roaches, and silkworms.

Treats: Waxworms - These are a treat. Don't feed waxworms as a staple diet because they are so fattening.

Amount: Adults will eat 5-7 crickets at one feeding. Hatchlings will eat 2-3 crickets at one feeding.

Size of Food: Adults - 3/4" Hatchlings - 1/8"

Note:
-Make sure to gutload the food item prior to feeding it. This will make a healthier insect and a healthier gecko.

- Remove all uneaten food items especially crickets after the gecko has eaten. If the insects are left in with the gecko they will probably get hungry and start to dine on your gecko(s).

Water: Fresh water should be available at all times. This is very important because bacteria will start to form. Your gecko will drink this and become sick because of the bacteria.


Breeding

Age: Pictus can be breed at 5 months of age.

Size: around 4"

Breeding Notes: These geckos are so easy to breed. They will breed year round and are very prolific. Just put the male in with the female. Mating will take place at night. Mating behavior is the same as in leopard geckos. The male should not be left in with the female all the time. A female has been known to be bred to death because of producing to many clutches of eggs.

Eggs: Pictus eggs are hard shelled, very small, and delicate. After being laid they should not be picked up with your fingers to transfer them to an incubator. You should pick them up with a spoon so your fingers do not crush the eggs.

Incubation Temps: The eggs should be incubated at around 83° F. As with other geckos Pictus eggs are not temperature sexed.

Incubation Time: around 60 days

Other Notes


Popularity: Pictus geckos have become more popular because they are so easy to keep and especially to breed.

Color Morphs: With many generations of selectively breeding more and more colors and patterns will become available. Their are so many colors in leopard geckos and just by selectively breeding their can be the same colors come up in pictus geckos.

Answer 3

http://www.thegeckospot.com/pictuscare.html

I personally don't have any experience with Pictus, but if you google "pictus gecko" you get quite a few pages on them. Hope that helps!

Answer 4

This answers all!


http://www.thegeckospot.com/pictuscare.html