The Palm Gecko, also known as White Lined Gecko or Skunk Gecko is a stunning display species originating from Indonesia, New Guinea, Palau and the Solomon Islands.
Palm Geckos have several common names, and are also known as White Lined Geckos and Skunk Geckos. They will average 18-25 cm in length and can live 15 years plus if housed correctly. They are seen in various shades of brown colours, but all will have a characteristic bold white stripe which begins on either side of the head behind their large orange lidless eyes, merging at the base of the neck to a single stripe extending down towards the base of the tail. The tail has bold white bands down the length to the tip. The Palm Gecko has ‘sticky feet’ covered in microscopic hairs called setae - meaning that it is able to climb almost any surface at speed.
The Palm Gecko is native to the rainforests of Indonesia, New Guinea, Palau and the Solomon Islands.
The glass terrarium should have plenty of usable height as these geckos are fast and arboreal (tree dwelling). As they are too quick to handle, we advise a minimum of 45 x 45 x 60cm (18 x 18 x 24in) especially if housing multiple geckos, to provide plenty of freedom of movement. Sexed groups can cohabit, ensuring there is only one male present per tank to avoid any rivalry over the females.
The Palm Gecko requires ambient temperatures of around 22-26°C with a basking spot of 29-32°C during the daytime. A night time temperature drop of between 5-10°C is recommended, to simulate the natural temperature drop which happens in the wild from dusk till dawn. The use of a suitable thermostat to control the temperature of basking bulbs is essential in ensuring your geckos are maintained at the optimum temperature.
It is vital to provide these geckos with access to UVB lighting that sits within the parameters of Ferguson Zone 1, this helps them to produce vitamin D3 which is essential in the absorption of Calcium - keeping bones healthy and strong. This should be on for 12 hours during the day and turned off at night.
The forests of Indonesia are filled with dense foliage and are constantly warm and humid. Their natural humidity levels will average 70-80%. We recommend misting the decor, foliage and substrate both morning and evening. A shallow elevated water dish will occasionally be used, but the gecko will tend to drink droplets of water from branches and leaves to stay hydrated.
For terrarium decor, the use of large palm-like leaves mimics their natural habitat beautifully. Adding in foliage with vertical poles provides natural enrichment and offers the geckos plenty of vertical climbing space. Cork branches and vines will help to replicate their native habitat, enhancing their natural behaviours. It is worth noting that the Palm Geckos also do extremely well in live planted, bio-active tanks. Use a soil based substrate to cover the floor; adding a layer of leaf litter and moss on top of this can help to retain moisture. Artificial plants are ideal for adding plenty of coverage while keeping the setup fairly simple to maintain if you prefer not to opt for bio-active, just ensure it is packed with things to do for these inquisitive geckos.
Providing juveniles and adult geckos with feeder insects offers enrichment by way of encouraging natural hunting and foraging behaviours. They can also be fed on a high quality meal replacement powder diet alongside mashed fruits to vary the diet.
On all live feeds, it is important to use a good quality supplement powder to provide an essential calcium and vitamin boost to your Palm Gecko. The easiest method of application is to use a spare live food tub to dust the insects lightly in supplement. We advise dusting your insects on every feed, alternating between calcium and vitamin powders according to manufacturers recommendations.
