Viper Gecko (Hemidactylus Imbricatus) - Care Sheet
Background
Carrot-tail viper geckos (Hemidactylus imbricatus or Teratolepis fasciata) are a crepuscular, insectivorous type of terrestrial lizard native to western Pakistan and the drier portions of India. They generally prefer steppe area with plenty of rock cover. Viper geckos grow up to 3-4″ / 8-10cm long, and are most recognizable by their fat, beet-shaped tails covered with large triangular scales. The rest of the body features a ladder-like pattern with brown, grey, beige, and/or white coloring. The head is relatively large with large eyes and vertical pupils. The legs are long and slender with sticky toe pads. Although tiny and not particularly handleable, viper geckos are curious, active, and relatively hardy, making them interesting and rewarding little pets for any reptile keeper. When proper viper gecko care is provided, they are likely to live 10-15 years.
Setup & Substrate
Viper geckos need an enclosure that is large enough to give them adequate opportunity to thermoregulate, explore, hunt, and generally exercise natural behaviors. Although viper geckos top out at 4″ / 10cm long, they are usually kept in groups, so the minimum recommended enclosure size for housing up to 3 viper geckos is 24”L x 18”W x 18”H / 60 x 45 x 45cm or similar. However, larger is always better! Can multiple viper geckos be housed in the same enclosure? Absolutely! Viper geckos generally get along well in groups, and in fact I don’t recommend housing them singly. Even males appear to be able to live peaceably together when females aren’t around. If there are females in the enclosure, then there should be only one male in the group in order to avoid conflict. As always, don’t house males and females together unless you intend to breed your geckos. The breeding of any reptile is a project that shouldn’t be taken casually.
Substrate is an important part of a viper gecko terrarium because this species likes to have the opportunity to dig. A good substrate also helps maintain optimal humidity levels and creates a natural humid hide. Here are some substrate options which resemble the natural conditions of viper gecko habitat: DIY mix (60% organic topsoil, 40% fine sand), or 100% Zoo Med ReptiSand (Desert White), Exo Terra Desert Sand. The sand depth should be 3/4" to 1 1/2" deep throughout the enclosure. Feces and urates should be removed daily, and contaminated substrate should be scooped out and replaced. Substrate should be completely replaced once every 3-4 months, depending on your needs.
Heat & Humidity
Humans are warm-blooded, which means that our body temperature is automatically regulated. Viper geckos, however, are cold-blooded, and more specifically they are poikilothermic, which means they need to move between areas of different temperatures in order to regulate their body temperature. Here’s the range of temperatures that should be available in a viper gecko enclosure:
Hot zone temperature: 88-92°F, Cool zone temperature: 75-80°F, Nighttime temperature: 70-75°F, you will need one Arcadia Deep Heat Projector Bulb (80w) REPTITRIP 5.5" Day/Night Thermostatic Reptile Light Fixture, and a Zoo Med Reptitherm Undertank Heater 10-20gal (6 x 8), the heat lamp and the UTH need to be placed on the Hot Zone side of the enclousre, the UTH will remain on 24/7.
You will need (2) Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermometer Large LCD 2-Pack and place one on the surface in the Hot Zone and one on the surface in the Cool Zone and you will also need a Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun to measure the surface temperature under the hide that is located on the Hot Zone side of the enclosure which should be between 88-92 degrees.
Viper geckos should have fairly dry ambient humidity levels between 30% to 50%, however they also need access to areas of higher humidity (moist hides) to use as needed, ambient humidity should be tracked via your Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer/Thermometer, pretty much the humidity should be the same levels as you keep your home.