Ocelot gecko: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of lizard}} |
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{{Taxobox |
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{{Speciesbox |
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| name = Pictus Gecko |
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| image = |
| image = Big-headed gecko (Paroedura picta) Arboretum d'Antsokay.jpg |
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| image_caption = Arboretum d'Antsokay, Madagascar |
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| regnum = [[Animal]]ia |
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| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] |
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| species = picta |
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| classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]] |
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| ordo = [[Squamata]] |
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| familia = [[Gekkonidae]] |
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| species = '''''P. pictus''''' |
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| range_map = Paroedura picta distribution.png |
| range_map = Paroedura picta distribution.png |
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| synonyms = |
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*''Diplodactylus pictus'' |
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*''Phyllodactylus pictus'' |
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The '''Pictus Gecko''' (''Paroedura pictus'') is a nocturnal ground dwelling [[gecko]] found in leaf litter in forests on the island of [[Madagascar]]. It is sometimes known as '''Madagascar Ground Gecko''', '''Ocelot gecko''', '''Malagasy fat-tailed gecko''', '''Panther Gecko'''. |
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The '''ocelot gecko''' ('''''Paroedura picta''''') is a crepuscular ground-dwelling [[gecko]] found in [[leaf litter]] in [[Madagascar]] forests<ref name="GnV07">{{cite book|last1=Glaw|first1=Frank|last2=Vences|first2=Miguel|title=A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar|date=2007|publisher=Vences & Glaw Verlags|location=Cologne, Germany|isbn=978-3929449037|edition=3rd}}</ref> and is also a popular pet. It is sometimes known as the '''Madagascar ground gecko''', '''Malagasy fat-tailed gecko''', '''fat-headed gecko''', '''panther gecko''' or '''pictus gecko''' |
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== Characteristics == |
== Characteristics == |
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''P. |
''P. picta'' naturally occurs as a brown [[lizard]] with black markings. Some individuals may also have a white dorsal stripe. In captivity, there are several color phases available including hypo, orange, anerythristic, and amelanistic (yellow). |
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They usually reach a size of {{convert|4|-|6|in|cm}}, with some well-cared-for males reaching {{convert|8|in|cm}}. Overall, they are smaller than the average gecko. These creatures feature slender, elongated bodies and narrow, pointed heads, and come in a range of colors. The colors usually involve shades of brown, grey, and cream, with markings or spots that resemble ocelot spots. They also have large, rounded eyes with vertical pupils and sticky toe pads that allow them to climb and adhere to surfaces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kataria |first=Kaajal |date=2023-01-11 |title=Ocelot Gecko Care Sheet: How To Care For Ocelot Gecko |url=https://petengineers.com/ocelot-gecko-care-sheet/ |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=Pet Engineers |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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They usually reach a size ranging from 4 to 6 inches, with some well cared for males pushing 8 inches. Overall they are smaller than the average gecko. |
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The ocelot gecko is not a true climbing gecko, but does have the capability to climb a few surfaces. |
The ocelot gecko is not a true climbing gecko, but does have the capability to climb a few surfaces. In captivity, it has been known to scale the sides of glass terrariums if startled. |
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They are exclusively [[Insectivore|insectivorous]]. |
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[[File:Closeuppanthergecko.jpg|thumb|left|upright|A close-up of an Ocelot Gecko in a man-made terrarium]] |
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These geckos do well in captivity and are fairly easy to handle. Hence, they have become increasingly popular in the [[Herpetology]] Community; they are ideal for anyone looking into the Herpetology hobby. |
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They are [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] creatures. They spend their days hiding in crevices or under rocks. They are best observed during their preferred hunting time, between dusk and dawn.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thegeckospot.net/pictuscare.php |title=Pictus Gecko Care |website=TheGeckoSpot.net |access-date=2018-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816201255/http://www.thegeckospot.net/pictuscare.php |archive-date=2019-08-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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A leopard gecko requires similar amount of handling. During captivity, they tend to show some really nice patterns. Only a few morphs of this species including xanthic, snow, anery, striped, triple striped and red exist due to selective breeding. Usually geckos with these markings cost $20 to $45. |
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[[File:Paroedura Picta.jpg|thumb|10 month old Paroedura Picta sitting on a thumb]] |
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These geckos do well in captivity but do not like being handled and may bite if scared. They can live in captivity for between six and ten years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Julie |url=http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Madagascar-Ground-Gecko/ |title=Madagascar Ground Gecko Care Sheet |website=Reptiles Magazine |access-date=2018-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804000950/http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Madagascar-Ground-Gecko/ |archive-date=2019-08-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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== Housing == |
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A single gecko can be kept in a 10 gallon terrarium with substrates such as Repti-Carpet, and [[Paper towel]]s. For multiple geckos you can use a 20 gallon tank. Care must be taken when placing multiple geckos in the same tank. Placing males together may cause them to become territorial and attempt to kill each other. When multiple females are housed with a male, be prepared for eggs because geckos are prolific breeders. Housing multiple female geckos together results in fewer issues. They must also be provided with at least three hides. One on the warm end (86 °F) one in the middle and one on the cool end (80-82 °F) of the tank. You may also want to provide them with a moist hide to aid in [[Moult|shedding]], which is usually the hide on the warm end. This can consist of some sort of container with an opening for the gecko to enter and exit and inside should be something that will retain moist air and raise the humidity in the chamber such as paper towels or Peat Moss (these must be misted regularly to maintain the humidity.) |
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== Feeding == |
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This gecko is a true [[insectivore]] and will readily accept small live prey such as [[cricket (insect)|cricket]]s and [[mealworms]]. |
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Hatchling Pictus Geckos should be fed appropriately sized [[cricket]]s dusted with a reptile [[vitamin supplement]] on a daily basis (feed as many as the gecko will eat in a 20 minute period). Once they become juveniles, feeding should be reduced to 5 to 6 times a week with appropriately sized crickets and they should be dusted with vitamins only once or twice a week. The feedings that the crickets are not dusted with vitamins they should be dusted with a pure [[calcium]] powder. Also [[mealworms]] can be place in a dish in the tank at all times; these geckos will not overeat if they are not hungry. |
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A good rule of thumb for cricket sizes is that the cricket should be not be longer/wider than the distance between the eyes of the gecko. Usually they eat 2-3 crickets. As an alternative, some breeders and pet owners use [[silkworms]], although that is illegal in a few countries. |
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== Breeding == |
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Panther geckos are mature quickly, taking less than a year in [[captivity (animal)|captivity]]. At about six months the [[male]] will be easily distinguishable due to the large bumps it will get at the base of the [[tail]]. A [[female]] will remain smooth at the base of the tail. Geckos are very easy to breed in captivity. Controlling the breeding, however, is a troublesome task. After two of these Geckos have mated and the female is [[gravid]] in about 2–3 weeks the female will lay her eggs (usually in the moist hide). The male should be separated from the female after mating to reduce stress on the female. The female will lay two eggs per [[clutch]] every two to three weeks. They will also retain sperm so be prepared for multiple clutches usually around five clutches per [[mating]]. The eggs should be [[Egg incubation|incubated]] at around 80 °F (27 °C) and should take between 30–60 days to hatch, though there have been cases where it has taken up to 120 days for an egg to hatch. once the eggs have hatched, the [hatchlings] should be moved to a cage with the set up requirements as listed above, but a paper towel substrate should be used to avoid [[Impaction (animals)|impaction]] and the tank should be of a smaller size. Once they have their first shed they should be fed as described above. As they grow and get bigger they should be moved up to an appropriately sized tank and can be on Repti-Carpet or [[paper towels]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references/> |
<references/> |
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{{Taxonbar|from=Q146547}} |
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[[Category:Reptiles of Madagascar]] |
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[[Category:Endemic fauna of Madagascar]] |
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[[Category:Reptiles described in 1854]] |
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[[Category:Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:02, 7 June 2024
| Ocelot gecko | |
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_Arboretum_d%27Antsokay.jpg)
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| Arboretum d'Antsokay, Madagascar | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Paroedura |
| Species: | P. picta
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| Binomial name | |
| Paroedura picta Peters, 1854
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| Synonyms | |
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The ocelot gecko (Paroedura picta) is a crepuscular ground-dwelling gecko found in leaf litter in Madagascar forests[1] and is also a popular pet. It is sometimes known as the Madagascar ground gecko, Malagasy fat-tailed gecko, fat-headed gecko, panther gecko or pictus gecko
Characteristics
[edit]P. picta naturally occurs as a brown lizard with black markings. Some individuals may also have a white dorsal stripe. In captivity, there are several color phases available including hypo, orange, anerythristic, and amelanistic (yellow).
They usually reach a size of 4–6 inches (10–15 cm), with some well-cared-for males reaching 8 inches (20 cm). Overall, they are smaller than the average gecko. These creatures feature slender, elongated bodies and narrow, pointed heads, and come in a range of colors. The colors usually involve shades of brown, grey, and cream, with markings or spots that resemble ocelot spots. They also have large, rounded eyes with vertical pupils and sticky toe pads that allow them to climb and adhere to surfaces.[2]
The ocelot gecko is not a true climbing gecko, but does have the capability to climb a few surfaces. In captivity, it has been known to scale the sides of glass terrariums if startled.
They are exclusively insectivorous.
They are nocturnal creatures. They spend their days hiding in crevices or under rocks. They are best observed during their preferred hunting time, between dusk and dawn.[3]
In captivity
[edit]These geckos do well in captivity but do not like being handled and may bite if scared. They can live in captivity for between six and ten years.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Glaw, Frank; Vences, Miguel (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar (3rd ed.). Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlags. ISBN 978-3929449037.
- ^ Kataria, Kaajal (2023-01-11). "Ocelot Gecko Care Sheet: How To Care For Ocelot Gecko". Pet Engineers. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- ^ "Pictus Gecko Care". TheGeckoSpot.net. Archived from the original on 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
- ^ Bergman, Julie. "Madagascar Ground Gecko Care Sheet". Reptiles Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-09.