Lepidodactylus lugubris — Fact Sheet

Lepidodactylus lugubris · Lepidodactylus lugubris · Mourning gecko · Common smooth-scaled gecko

📋 At a glance

🏠 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: 30-34 °C

• Warm zone: 26-30 °C

• Cool zone: 22-25 °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.