Common name: African Fat-Tailed Gecko (AFTG)
Scientific name: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
Origin: West Africa (from Senegal through Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon)
Size: 7–9 inches (adults)
Weight: ~45–75 g
Type: Terrestrial, nocturnal lizard
Tail: Thick “fat” tail (stores nutrients and water, like a camel’s hump)
Body: Stocky with smooth skin (unlike rough-scaled lizards)
Colors: Usually tan, brown, or beige bands; many morphs exist (albino, striped, patternless, etc.)
Eyes: Large lid-bearing eyes (unlike leopard geckos, they can close their eyes)
Tail: Used for fat storage — will regenerate if dropped, but not identical to the original
Disposition: Gentle, docile, and tolerant of handling (similar to leopard geckos)
Behavior: Nocturnal — more active at night, hide during the day
Interaction: Usually calm but may hiss or squeak if stressed
Enclosure size: Minimum 20-gallon long tank for one adult (bigger for multiple)
Substrate: Paper towels, reptile carpet, or soil/sand mixes (avoid loose sand for young geckos)
Temperature:
Warm side: 88–92°F (belly heat preferred via heat mat)
Cool side: 75–80°F
Night: not below ~70°F
Humidity: Moderate (50–70%), higher than leopard geckos need — provide a humid hide with damp moss for shedding
Lighting: Not strictly required (nocturnal), but low-level UVB can benefit health
Type: Insectivore
Staple feeders: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, silkworms
Treats: Waxworms, hornworms (high fat, occasional only)
Supplements: Calcium + D3 powder, multivitamin dusting weekly
Lifespan: 15–20 years
