By Will Gyurgyik

Ragazzi's fan footed gecko has many interesting attributes! It's a unique desert species with bright coloration and it's very quick and active.

NAME

Ptyodactylus ragazzii. Named the fan-footed gecko for its conspicuously large toe pads, which allows it to scale relatively smooth rock surfaces.

COLORATION

Fan-footed geckos are a mix of beige to orange colors in a mottled pattern around their body.

HOUSING

An 12x12x18 glass enclosure will house a pair of fan-footed gecko adults, although full grown adults are active and will appreciate at least an 18x18x24 enclosure. Keep this species solo or as a single pair. Desert BioBedding or sand works well as a substrate. Vertical hides should be provided; cork tubes work very well for this species as both hides and climbing material. These active climbers will take full advantage of rocks, driftwood, manzanita branches, cork bark, and other climbing material. Ensure that any heavy items are supported by the bottom of the enclosure and not by the substrate. Note: this is an extremely fast species; take caution when doing anything that disturbs them during the day, or while they are out at night!

TEMPERATURE

Keep fan-footed geckos at 75-85 F. Use a basking bulb to provide a basking spot of around 90 F. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and hot spots can be checked with an infrared thermometer. Night temperatures can safely drop down to 68 F. 

HUMIDITY

Fan-footed geckos should be kept at 40-50% humidity. A humid hide is a great way to create a humid microclimate, such as a cork tube with moist sphagnum moss placed at the bottom. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Fan-footed should be misted two to three times a week to provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink, but enough ventilation should be provided to allow the enclosure to dry out within a few hours. A shallow water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting.

SIZE

Fan-footed geckos are at least 1.5-2 inches when sold by Josh’s Frogs. Adults reach around 6-7 inches from head to tail. Due to their age when sold by Josh's Frogs, the animals are sold as unsexed.

DIET

Fan-footed geckos are insectivores; at Josh’s Frogs, we offer all of the feeder insects you’ll need to properly feed them! Juveniles for sale are large enough to eat ¼” crickets or dubia roaches. Adults should be fed a staple of 1/2-inch crickets or dubia roaches, with black soldier fly larvae, waxworms, butterworms, and hornworms making good occasional treats. Mealworms can also be offered to full grown adults. All feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with vitamin/mineral supplements. We’ve had success providing certain feeders, like dubia roaches and mealworms, in mounted feeding cups.

SEX

Male fan-footed geckos have a hemipenal bulge at the base of the tail. However, because of their age and the lack of any distinguishable features at their young age, individuals sold by Josh’s Frogs are not sexed.

BREEDING

Typically, a brumation period in the winter (down to around 70 degrees) or longer days in the summer will help incite breeding. Females will glue a pair of eggs to a surface once every 3 weeks during the breeding season, up to a total of around 5-6 clutches. Once glued, eggs cannot be removed and should be allowed to incubate in the enclosure. Cannibalism can occur in this species, so hatchlings should be removed and reared separately.

Fan footed geckos are not commonly seen in the hobby, although they are fascinating to observe! If you're looking for a desert display gecko, this may be the ideal pet for you.

LINKS OF INTEREST

Fan footed gecko breeding by Reptiles Magazine