African Fat-Tailed Gecko
Species Description

The African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) derives its common name from its distinctive thick, bulbous tail that stores fat and water reserves—a crucial adaptation to its arid native habitat. This species is sometimes called the African Ground Gecko or West African Fat-Tailed Gecko, reflecting its terrestrial lifestyle and geographic origin.

In the pet trade, these geckos are often marketed simply as "Fat-Tails" or "AFTs," abbreviations that have become standard among gecko enthusiasts. Wild-type specimens with their natural brown and tan banding are sometimes referred to as "normal" or "wild-type" Fat-Tailed Geckos, distinguishing them from the growing variety of color morphs including leucistic, patternless, and striped varieties.

The genus name Hemitheconyx translates to "half-sheathed claw," referring to their retractable claws—a unique feature among geckos. The species name caudicinctus means "banded tail," describing the distinctive light and dark bands characteristic of wild-type individuals. First described scientifically in 1838, this species belongs to the family Eublepharidae, which also includes the popular leopard gecko, explaining their many similarities in care and behavior.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are stout, heavily-built lizards measuring 7-9 inches in total length, with males typically reaching the larger end of this range. Their most distinctive feature is their thick, carrot-shaped tail that can be nearly as wide as their body, serving as a vital fat and moisture storage organ essential for survival in arid environments.

Wild-type individuals display attractive earth-tone coloration with alternating bands of brown, tan, and white running across their bodies and tails. The head is proportionally large with prominent eyes featuring vertical pupils and moveable eyelids—a characteristic of the Eublepharidae family. Unlike many gecko species, they possess functional eyelids and can blink, a trait they share with leopard geckos.

Their skin texture is soft and velvety to the touch, covered in small, smooth scales that give them a different feel compared to the bumpy texture of leopard geckos. The body is somewhat flattened and stocky, with short, muscular limbs ending in five toes equipped with small claws. These claws provide excellent traction on various surfaces, though they lack the adhesive toe pads found in climbing gecko species.

Color morphs have become increasingly popular in captivity, with breeders developing striking variations including leucistic (white with black eyes), patternless (solid colors without banding), striped (bold dorsal stripes), and various amelanistic forms. Males develop more prominent pre-anal pores and hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail, while females tend to be slightly smaller with less pronounced features. The regenerative tail, while functional if lost, typically regrows shorter and stubbier than the original, lacking the species' characteristic elegant taper.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are renowned for their exceptionally calm and docile temperament, ranking among the most handleable gecko species available in the pet trade. Unlike many reptiles that remain flighty throughout their lives, Fat-Tails typically calm down quickly with regular gentle handling, often becoming quite tame and seemingly comfortable with human interaction. They rarely display defensive behaviors such as tail dropping, vocalization, or biting, making them ideal for beginners and families.

These geckos are primarily crepuscular to nocturnal, meaning they're most active during twilight hours and throughout the night. During daylight hours, they remain hidden in their shelters, emerging as temperatures cool in the evening to hunt for insects. In captivity, they often adjust their activity patterns somewhat to human schedules, particularly around feeding times when they may emerge earlier in anticipation of food.

Their hunting behavior is characterized by patient stalking followed by quick strikes. Fat-Tailed Geckos are visual hunters that rely on movement to identify prey, often remaining motionless while watching potential food items before launching their attack. They possess strong jaws and will vigorously shake larger prey items to subdue them. Unlike some gecko species that are skittish feeders, Fat-Tails are typically bold and aggressive eaters in captivity.

Social interactions between individuals are generally peaceful, though housing multiple males together will result in aggression and fighting. Females can sometimes be housed together successfully, though individual personalities vary and careful monitoring is essential. Males court females through gentle tail vibrations and body undulations, and breeding pairs often coexist peacefully outside of breeding season. The tail plays an important role in communication, with slow waving motions often observed before feeding strikes or during encounters with other geckos.

Stress behaviors in this species are subtle and include prolonged hiding, appetite loss, and in extreme cases, tail autotomy (voluntary tail loss). However, compared to many reptiles, Fat-Tailed Geckos are quite resilient and adaptable to captive conditions when their basic needs are met.

A properly designed enclosure is essential for African Fat-Tailed Gecko health and wellbeing. A 20-gallon long tank (30x12x12 inches) provides adequate space for a single adult, though larger enclosures of 30-40 gallons offer more opportunities for enrichment and temperature gradient establishment. The emphasis should be on horizontal floor space rather than height, as these are terrestrial geckos that rarely climb.

Substrate selection is crucial for both hygiene and the gecko's natural behaviors. Paper towels or reptile carpet work well for easy cleaning and eliminating impaction risk, particularly for juveniles. For a more naturalistic setup, a mixture of organic topsoil and play sand (70:30 ratio) provides a diggable substrate that holds humidity and allows natural burrowing behaviors. Avoid calcium sand, crushed walnut shell, or other loose particulate substrates that pose serious impaction risks if ingested.

Temperature regulation requires establishing a proper thermal gradient across the enclosure. The warm end should maintain 88-92°F using an under-tank heater or heat mat controlled by a thermostat, while the cool end stays around 75-80°F. Nighttime temperatures can safely drop to 70-75°F, mimicking natural conditions. Never rely on heat rocks or heat tape without thermostatic control, as these can cause serious burns. Use digital thermometers at both ends to monitor temperatures accurately.

Humidity requirements are moderate, maintaining 40-60% relative humidity with a slightly higher level during shedding periods. Achieve this through a humid hide containing moist sphagnum moss or paper towels, providing a microclimate for successful shedding without raising overall enclosure humidity too high. Light misting once or twice weekly helps maintain proper moisture levels, though avoid creating overly wet conditions that promote bacterial growth.

Lighting needs are straightforward—Fat-Tailed Geckos don't require UVB lighting as they obtain vitamin D3 through their diet, though a low-level UVB source may provide marginal benefits. A simple day/night cycle established through ambient room lighting or a low-wattage LED suffices, maintaining 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness. Avoid bright lights that may stress these crepuscular animals.

Furnishing the enclosure properly enhances both functionality and enrichment. Provide at least two hides—one on the warm end and one on the cool end—plus the humid hide centrally located. Cork bark, commercial reptile hides, or even inverted plastic containers with entrance holes work well. Add some rocks, branches, or other décor for additional hiding spots and to create a visually interesting environment that encourages natural behaviors.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are insectivores that thrive on a varied diet of appropriately-sized insects and invertebrates. In their native habitat, they opportunistically feed on any invertebrate prey they can overpower, including crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, cockroaches, spiders, and other arthropods. Their diet varies seasonally, with more abundant food during rainy seasons when insect populations explode.

In captivity, the staple diet should consist of commercially available feeder insects properly gut-loaded and dusted with supplements. Crickets form an excellent base diet due to their availability and nutritional value. Appropriately-sized crickets—no larger than the space between the gecko's eyes—should be offered every other day to adults, with juveniles fed daily. Mealworms, superworms (for larger adults), dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae provide excellent dietary variety and prevent nutritional imbalances from feeding a single prey type exclusively.

Gut-loading feeder insects before offering them is essential for proper nutrition. Feed crickets and other insects a high-quality diet of fresh vegetables, commercial gut-load products, or nutritious grains 24-48 hours before feeding. This process ensures the insects themselves are nutritionally valuable, passing those nutrients on to your gecko. Simply keeping insects in an empty container with no food severely reduces their nutritional value.

Supplementation is critical for preventing metabolic bone disease and other nutritional deficiencies. Dust insects with calcium powder (without vitamin D3) at most feedings, and once weekly use a multivitamin supplement containing vitamin D3. Rotate between pure calcium and vitamin supplements according to a consistent schedule. Over-supplementation can be as harmful as deficiency, so follow recommended guidelines carefully.

Adult geckos typically consume 4-6 appropriately-sized insects every other day, though appetites vary seasonally and individually. Juveniles and growing subadults require daily feeding with smaller, more frequent meals to support their rapid growth. Monitor body condition through the tail—it should be thick and full but not grotesquely obese. A gecko with a thin, wrinkled tail is underweight, while one with rolls of fat at the neck and legs is overweight. Adjust feeding frequency accordingly to maintain optimal body condition.

Always provide a shallow water dish with clean, fresh water. While Fat-Tailed Geckos obtain much of their moisture from prey items, they will drink regularly. Change water daily and ensure the dish is secure and shallow enough that even juveniles can exit easily if they enter.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are generally hardy reptiles with robust constitutions when provided with proper care, though they remain susceptible to common reptile health issues particularly related to husbandry errors. Many health problems in this species stem from improper temperature or humidity levels, nutritional deficiencies, or inadequate sanitation. Observant keepers who maintain optimal conditions and recognize early warning signs can prevent most health issues. A healthy Fat-Tailed Gecko displays alert behavior, clear eyes, regular feeding responses, smooth shed cycles, and a thick, plump tail indicating good nutritional status.

Preventive medicine through proper husbandry is always more effective and less expensive than treating established health problems. Observant keepers who maintain optimal conditions, provide proper nutrition, and seek veterinary care when issues arise will enjoy the companionship of healthy Fat-Tailed Geckos for 15-20 years. Building a relationship with a qualified reptile veterinarian before problems develop ensures access to expert care when needed.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos are among the most handleable gecko species, typically becoming quite tame with regular, gentle interaction. However, new acquisitions should be given 1-2 weeks to settle into their new environment before beginning handling sessions. This adjustment period allows the gecko to acclimate to its enclosure, establish feeding routines, and reduce stress levels before introducing the additional variable of human contact.

When beginning handling sessions, approach slowly and deliberately, allowing the gecko to see your hand coming rather than surprising it from above. Scoop the gecko up from below and underneath, supporting its full body weight with your hand. Never grab by the tail, which can trigger defensive tail dropping. Most Fat-Tails will walk calmly onto your hand with minimal fuss, though occasional individuals may be more nervous initially. Handle for just 5-10 minutes during early sessions, gradually increasing duration as the gecko becomes comfortable.

Optimal handling frequency is 2-4 times weekly for tame adults, enough to maintain their comfortable response to human interaction without causing excessive stress. Always wash hands before and after handling to prevent transferring oils, lotions, or potential pathogens. Handle your gecko in a secure area where it cannot escape or fall if it decides to jump—these terrestrial geckos can survive falls better than arboreal species but may still injure themselves from significant heights.

Recognize stress signals including rapid breathing, continuous escape attempts, tail waving, or defecation during handling. If these behaviors occur, return the gecko to its enclosure and try again another day. With patience and consistency, even initially nervous individuals typically calm down significantly. Avoid handling for 48 hours after feeding to prevent regurgitation, and never handle a gecko that's in the process of shedding, as the skin is sensitive and prone to damage during this vulnerable period.

African Fat-Tailed Geckos rank among the best reptile choices for beginners, combining hardy constitutions with manageable care requirements and exceptionally docile temperaments. Their modest size makes them suitable for apartment living or smaller homes where space is limited, and their quiet nature means they won't disturb neighbors or housemates. Unlike many exotic pets, they're odorless when properly maintained and don't require daily attention beyond basic observation.

The financial commitment for Fat-Tailed Gecko ownership is moderate and manageable for most budgets. Initial setup costs including enclosure, heating equipment, thermostats, hides, and accessories typically range from $200-400 depending on equipment quality and enclosure size chosen. Monthly maintenance costs for electricity, insects, and supplements generally run $20-40. Budget for annual veterinary wellness exams and emergency funds for unexpected health issues. Their 15-20 year lifespan represents a significant long-term commitment that shouldn't be underestimated.

These geckos work well for families with children when proper supervision and handling education are provided. Their calm demeanor and reluctance to bite make them safer than more defensive species, though adult supervision during handling sessions remains important. Teaching children proper handling techniques and the importance of gentle, calm interactions with pets provides valuable lessons in responsibility and empathy. However, children under 7-8 years old should always be closely supervised during interactions.

Legal considerations are minimal for African Fat-Tailed Geckos, as they're legal to own in virtually all jurisdictions without permits or special licenses. However, always verify local regulations before acquiring any exotic pet, as laws can change and vary by municipality. Prospective keepers should also consider their future plans—geckos are long-lived animals that may need accommodations if you move, change jobs, or face other life circumstances. Ensure you can commit to potentially 20 years of care or have contingency plans for rehoming if necessary. Overall, for individuals or families seeking an engaging, low-maintenance reptile pet that's forgiving of beginner mistakes while remaining interesting long-term, the African Fat-Tailed Gecko represents an excellent choice that's hard to surpass.