Fairy Gecko

Looking to add to your critter family? Come on down to Petcetera to check out our newest arrivals. These colorful lizards are one of our easiest pets and they're an eye catcher to boot. The first 15 customers to purchase one of these fellows will receive a free starter kit that includes a hide, misting bottle, and package of food.

— A commercial advertising the geckos when they first hit the pet market. 

Native to the Feywild, these colorful lizards make for a unique pet. They are fairly new to the pet scene and instantly rose in popularity once they hit the market. New and experienced reptile owners alike really enjoy them. They are one of the more lower maintenance lizards to own. 

Anatomy

Small and lightweight, fairy geckos are easy to hold and fit in the palm of your hand. They have a head with two outward facing eyes. Each one has a thin, vertical pupil. Their tongues are sticky and they have small, sharp teeth. They have four feet that have a partially webbed look to them. Covering the entire bottom of each foot are folds of skin that act like suction cups to allow them to scale any surface. Their tails are short and stubby. A pair of translucent wings are attached to the middle of their back.

Habitat

Fairy geckos are native to the Springlands of the Feywild. They live in the trees of warm, moist forests. There needs to be enough vegetation to hide in along with plenty of food sources. The temperature ranges from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity is around 65% to 75%.

Diet

These geckos are omnivorous, however, their diet is still roughly 80% fruit based and 20% insects. In the wild they usually go for softer fruits or ones that have fallen to the ground and are on the verge of rotting. For pet geckos it is recommended they be fed pureed fruit. You can either make it yourself or purchase premade mixes at specialty pet stores. Fruit should be fed to them 4 times a week while insects should be given about twice a week. They can eat any fruit. If you have a picky gecko, honey can be added to entice eating. It may take trial and error, but you'll eventually find fruits your unique gecko will enjoy. Crickets, dubia roaches, and small grubs can be fed. The insects must be able to fit in the gecko's mouth. You can use the space between their eyes as a size reference when picking out the bugs. All insects should be coated in a vitamin powder. If you do not use premade food mixes, one of the fruit servings should be combined with the vitamins as well. Water must be provided every day. They should be fed at dusk and any leftover food should be removed from the enclosure in the morning.

by Pixabay

Breeding

Fairy geckos are not too difficult to breed, although it is still recommended only for those more experienced with their care. They are sexually mature at one year old. It is important to make sure the female is a minimum of 45 grams in weight to ensure healthy eggs and that she will survive after laying. After mating, it takes around a month to lay the eggs. It is a good idea to provide the gravid female a lay box made of damp soil until she finally drops her clutch. Once laid, the box must be moved to an incubator where they will stay for two months. Eggs will hatch at different times. Once a baby has fully left the egg, you can gently move them to a baby enclosure. Eggs need to be kept moist during incubation. Babies can only drink water and eat puree until their mouths are big enough to start with really small insects.

Handling and Enrichment

As long as they are handled straight from birth, most geckos turn out friendly and accepting of physical interaction. Some individuals may still turn out skittish and would be best with minimal handling to keep stress to a minimum. If your gecko has bonded with you and feels safe, they will enjoy climbing all over you and use your body as a jungle gym. Handling should still be gentle as they are small and their wings might rip as well.
Fairy geckos don't typically need much enrichment like some more intelligent reptiles do. They do just fine with play / handling sessions throughout the week. Every other day or even four times a week is the bare minimum for most. If you go too many days without interacting with a bonded gecko, they may grow lonely. This can cause stress, excessive hiding, and even illness. Some owners found success in making small obstacle course like play areas for them to explore and fly around.

Average Length: 9 in 
Average Weight: 55 grams 
Average Lifespan: 14 years 
Active Hours: Primarily dawn and dusk, but can be active during the night.
Conservation Status: Regulated, but not fully protected. 
Care Level: Beginner 

Enclosure Needs

Fairy geckos are beginner friendly and require an easy to follow setup. Their tanks need to be vertical to allow for climbing and simulation of their forest habitat. 18"x18"x24" is standard for adults. Smaller enclosures may be used for babies and juveniles. Multiples may be housed in larger enclosures. It is recommended that only females be together unless you're more experienced in reptile care or are a breeder. 
Unless being housed in a cold environment, heaters are not typically needed. They will thrive around room temperature. UV lights may be used, but are not required. Due to their humidity needs, regular misting should be done. A manual spray bottle is fine, but automatic misters are also available. 
Tree limbs are needed. Artificial ones work just fine as long as there are no sharp pieces that will hurt your gecko. Vines and leafy vegetation provide the gecko a sense of safety. A small hide or two is recommended as well. Food and water can be provided in either small bowls designed for them or even bottlecaps. Ledges to place them in/on are available and can attach to the tank wall with either suction cups or magnets.

Colors and Morphs

Fairy geckos are bright and vibrant just like their Feywild homeland. Many are shades of bright blues, pinks, oranges, and yellows. Typical morphs include spots on a solid color, stripes, and a sectioned appearance where the body and feet are a different color than the head, legs, and tail. Rare morphs include solid colors and piebald. Their wings are either clear or take on one of their body colors. The rarest gecko is a bright, solid purple with pink wings.