The numbers
Enclosure
90 × 45 × 45 cm
Diet
Insects: crickets, dubia, BSF larvae · Every 2–3 days
Temperature
warm 31–33 °C (88–92 °F) / cool 21–24 °C (70–75 °F) / night Down to ~16–20 °C ok
Humidity
30–40% + humid hide 70–80%
UVB
Low-level recommended (thrives)
Identity
Family / Order
Eublepharidae / Squamata
Distribution
Rocky arid grassland & desert
Adult size
20–25 cm
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs (up to 25+)
Activity
Crepuscular / nocturnal; terrestrial
Temperament
Docile, hardy, easy to tame
Price (THB)
~800–3,000 (morphs more)
Morphs
21 morphs, with how each one is inherited. 4 of them carry a documented welfare cost, and those are listed first. A morph list that hides this sells a pattern and says nothing about what it costs the animal.
Dreamsickle (combo)comboCarries Enigma + W&Y → neuroSuper form: —Welfare risk
EnigmaDominantEnigma Syndrome — neurological (balance/circling/head-tilt). Avoid.Super form: —Welfare risk
Lemon FrostCo-dominantIridophoroma: >80% tumours (SPINT1). Discouraged.Super form: (worse in super)Welfare risk
White & YellowCo-dominantW&Y syndrome (tremors/circling) in someSuper form: —Welfare risk
Bell AlbinoRecessiveAlbino strain 2Super form: —
Black NightLine-bredMelanistic lineSuper form: —
BlizzardRecessivePatternlessSuper form: —
Bold StripeLine-bredSuper form: —
Carrot TailLine-bredSuper form: —
Diablo Blanco (combo)comboBlizzard + Rainwater + EclipseSuper form: —
EclipseRecessiveSolid eyesSuper form: —
Gem / TUG SnowCo-dominantSuper form: —
GiantCo-dominantSize geneSuper form: Super Giant
Mack SnowCo-dominantSuper = solid-eyed Super SnowSuper form: Super Snow
Marble EyeRecessiveSuper form: —
Murphy PatternlessRecessiveSuper form: —
Rainwater AlbinoRecessiveAlbino strain 3Super form: —
RAPTOR (combo)comboTremper Albino + Eclipse + patternlessSuper form: —
Super Hypo / BaldyLine-bredSuper form: —
TangerineLine-bredLine-bred orangeSuper form: —
Tremper AlbinoRecessiveAlbino strain 1Super form: —
Enclosure and conditions
Warm zone (hot hide)
31–33 °C (88–92 °F)
Cool side
21–24 °C (70–75 °F)
Night
Down to ~16–20 °C ok
Humidity
30–40% + humid hide 70–80%
UVB (required)
Low-level recommended (thrives)
Min. size
90 × 45 × 45 cm (36×18×18 in)
Substrate
Firm: tile / excavator clay (no loose sand for young)
Hides
3 hides (warm, cool, humid)
Water
Small shallow dish
Diet
Staple
Insects: crickets, dubia, BSF larvae
Prey size
≤ space between the eyes
Amount
~2 bugs per 1 in length / 15-min feed
Juveniles
Daily
Adults
Every 2–3 days
Calcium
Dust calcium (no D3) most feeds
Vitamins / D3
Multivit + Ca+D3 1–2×/week
Behaviour and handling
Handling
Tolerant; support, never grab the tail
Tail drop
Drops tail if grabbed/stressed (regrows)
Cohabitation
Best solo; never 2 males
Defense
Rarely bites
Children
Great, supervised
Reproduction
Sexual maturity
~9–12 months / ≥ 45 g
Sexing
♂: V-shaped preanal pores + hemipenal bulges
Clutch
2 eggs, several clutches/season
Incubation
~35–60 days; temperature sets sex
Note
26–28 °C→more ♀; 31–32 °C→more ♂
Common health problems
Metabolic bone disease
Signsweak/bent limbs, tremors
Preventsupplement Ca/D3 + provide UVB
Impaction
Signsfrom loose substrate ingestion
Preventfirm substrate + correct prey size
Dysecdysis (stuck shed)
Signsretained skin on toes/tail
Preventprovide a humid hide
Overheating / cool temps
Signslethargy, poor digestion
Preventcorrect thermal gradient
When to see a vet
This is not veterinary advice. If red flags appear (open-mouth breathing, months of weight loss, 'stargazing', persistent regurgitation) consult a qualified exotic (herp) veterinarian. Quarantine new arrivals 30–90 days.
Good to know
- Store fat in their thick tails as an energy reserve.
- Have movable eyelids (rare among geckos) and lick their eyes clean.
- One of the first domesticated reptiles — hundreds of morphs exist.
Common questions
Do they need UVB?
They thrive with low UVB; can manage on dietary D3.
Why did the tail fall off?
Defense — it regrows (fatter, different look).
Is sand safe?
Avoid loose sand for youngsters (impaction risk).
What it needs
- Terrarium 90×45×45
- Heat mat + thermostat
- Low UVB
- 3 hides (incl. humid)
- Tile/clay substrate
- Calcium + D3 + multivit
- Feeder insects
- Thermo/hygrometer