Kuhl’s Flying Gecko — Fact Sheet
Gekko kuhli · Kuhl’s Flying Gecko · Kuhl’s flying gecko · Kuhl’s parachute gecko
📋 At a glance
| Adult size | 15-20 cm |
| Lifespan | 8-12 years |
| Subspecies | No captive-care subspecies split |
| Origin | Gekko kuhli is associated with Southeast Asian tropical forests, including parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and nearby islands. |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Legal | CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply |
🏠 Enclosure
- Secure vivarium matched to lifestyle: terrestrial for ground geckos, vertical for arboreal species
- Adult size ranges from compact setups to large vertical enclosures depending on species
- Use safe substrate: soil/clay/sand mixes for terrestrial species, planted or cork-heavy setups for arboreal species
- Avoid loose unsafe particles for tiny juveniles, sticky tape, and escape gaps
🪨 Enclosure furniture
- At least two hides or retreats, including a humid hide for terrestrial shedding species
- Branches/cork/tubes for arboreal geckos; stones and low hides for terrestrial geckos
- Water dish and/or misted drinking surfaces according to species
💡 Lighting
- Low to moderate UVB is beneficial for most geckos; stronger UVB for diurnal day geckos
- Use visible day-night rhythm even for nocturnal species
- Separate heat source if the room is too cool
- Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no bright night light
🌡️ Temperature
Basking spot: 24-28 °C
Warm zone: 29-31 °C
Cool zone: 20-24 °C
Night: 18-22 °C
Clear gradient required; the animal must be able to move between warm, cool, and hidden zones
Measure basking surfaces with an infrared thermometer and ambient zones with digital probes
Avoid heat rocks and unguarded heat sources
💧 Humidity & water
- Match the species: dry with a humid hide, or moderate/high with ventilation for tropical geckos
- Fresh water available; mist arboreal species as needed
- Allow surfaces to dry between misting cycles
- Avoid stagnant wet air and mold
🪳 Diet
Feed regularly:
- Appropriately sized crickets, roaches, locusts, and other feeder insects
In moderation:
- Waxworms, mealworms, superworms, and fatty larvae
Avoid:
- Wild-caught insects, oversized prey, spoiled feeders
Supplements:
- Calcium as needed; vitamins in a controlled schedule; UVB does not get replaced by powders
🩺 Health — warning signs
- Stuck shed on toes → humidity or rough-surface problem
- Soft jaw or tremors → calcium/UVB problem
- Thin tail or weight loss → feeding, stress, parasites, or disease
- Eye debris or closed eyes → retained shed, injury, or infection
- Lethargy → temperature or illness
Consult a reptile- or exotic-animal veterinarian for severe weakness, injury, breathing signs, swelling, or prolonged refusal to eat.