Mourning Gecko

Mourning Gecko Care Guide

Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris
Common Name: Mourning Gecko
Adult Size: 8–10 cm
Lifespan: Around 5–10 years
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Activity: Nocturnal
Diet: Omnivore / insectivore

Size

• Adults usually reach 8–10 cm, including the tail.
• They are very small and can squeeze through surprisingly tiny gaps.

Housing

• Use a tall, escape-proof vivarium with excellent ventilation.
• A planted enclosure around 30 × 30 × 45 cm can house a small group.
• Provide plenty of cork bark, branches, vines and dense plants.
• Keep multiple geckos together rather than singly where possible.
• Secure the enclosure carefully — they are excellent escape artists.

Temperature

• Day: 22–26°C
• Warm area: around 26–28°C
• Night: 18–22°C.
• Avoid temperatures above 30°C.
• Use thermostatically controlled heating if required.

Lighting

• Low-level 2–5% UVB is beneficial.
• Provide a natural 12-hour day/night cycle.
• Ensure plenty of shaded areas amongst plants and décor.

Humidity

• Aim for around 60–80%, with natural fluctuations.
• Mist regularly, allowing the enclosure to partially dry between misting.
• Good ventilation is essential to prevent stagnant, overly wet conditions.

Food

• Feed a varied diet of:
  • Fruit flies
  • Small crickets
  • Small roach nymphs
  • Other appropriately sized insects
• Offer a suitable gecko fruit/insect diet or small amounts of mashed soft fruit.
• Dust insects with calcium regularly.
• Feed small amounts several times per week.

Water

• Mourning Geckos will often drink droplets from leaves and enclosure surfaces.
• Regular misting provides drinking opportunities.
• A very shallow water dish can also be offered.
• Always use clean, dechlorinated water.

Shedding

• They shed regularly as they grow.
• Most geckos will eat their shed skin.
• Correct humidity and access to water help ensure successful shedding.
• Never pull retained shed from the toes or tail.

Handling

• Handling is not recommended.
• They are extremely small, quick and delicate.
• They can easily drop their tails or escape when frightened.
• If they need to be moved, use a secure container rather than attempting to catch them by hand.

Health

Watch for:

• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Lethargy
• Difficulty climbing
• Swollen or damaged toes
• Retained shed
• Abnormal faeces
• Signs of dehydration

Cleaning

• Remove faeces and uneaten food regularly.
• Clean the water dish if provided.
• Remove dead insects and heavily mouldy material.
• Avoid excessive disturbance in planted/bioactive setups.
• Maintain healthy live plants and replace leaf litter as necessary.

Before You Bring Your Animal Home

• Set up the vivarium completely beforehand.
• Check temperature, humidity and ventilation.
• Add plenty of climbing surfaces and dense foliage.
• Make every opening escape-proof.
• Have appropriately sized livefood and gecko diet ready.
• Allow the enclosure to stabilise before introducing the geckos.

Important Bits

• 🦎 Tiny but extremely agile — escape-proofing is essential.
• 🌿 They thrive in densely planted, vertical enclosures.
• 👥 Naturally social and are best kept in small groups.
• 🥚 Mourning Geckos are parthenogenetic, meaning females can produce offspring without a male.
• 🐣 They can reproduce readily, so be prepared for babies.
• 🦗 Feed appropriately tiny livefood.
• 💧 Regular misting provides important drinking opportunities.
• 🚫 Avoid unnecessary handling — they are delicate and very fast.