Arboreal Geckos — Oedura Gecko Species

The genus Oedura is made up of many various species found from one corner of the Australian continent to the other. They are plentiful in both cold and warm regions and have some of the most spectacular colours and patterns that I have ever seen in a gecko species. They come in relatively small sizes from your Oedura Coggeri which is classified as being the smallest of the Oedura genus, to possibly Oedura Marmorata (WA form) which is closest to being the largest of the genus have the potential of reaching a total length of 190+ mm.

Oedura are generally a very hardy genus of geckos which grow vigorously, and would be the perfect gecko for an individual wishing to start out in gecko keeping. Their needs are minimal, more or less a 2–2 ½ foot tank is suitable for an adult pair with the exception to terrestrial species of needing a mesh lid.

It seems that many people get scared off by many Oedura species and that seems simply due to the fact that they are arboreal. Realistically the only extra requirement is that of a mesh lid. They can also be easily housed in large plastic tubs with the lid requirement being easily rectified to suit by easily removing the centre part of the lid and replacing that by soldering fly mesh to the outside.

Furnishing the interior with properly sterilised branches and either a sand or coir peat substrate and the addition of a small water bowl and a moist hide to finalise the enclosure. Most Oedura species will readily eat prey in the form of roaches or crickets and can become quite obese if over fed.

A typical ambient (room) temperature of between 22–26° will suffice with an extra added source of heating being provided on ¼ of the enclosure in the form of a heat cord to get a temperature up to 30° creates a perfect gradient. During winter months a gradual reduction in temperature is required with feeding kept to a minimum. I have found that UVA/UVB lighting is not required but can be beneficial with any reptile.

Oedura species can be very productive during a breeding season, generally between September to March, and it is not unusual for a young adult pair aged around 2 years to easily produce 3–5 clutches. It is not unusual for females to lay every 4 weeks during the season so it is imperative to supply a small nesting site in the form of a garden pot or plastic container filled with moist coir peat or a sand mix included.

Incubation of eggs will generally give you a period prior to hatching of between 60–70 days pending on the incubation temperature, generally between 27–28°. Juveniles grow vigorously and sex can easily be determined at between 8–12 months of age pending on your feeding regime.

All in all many of the species like Oedura Castelnaui, Oedura Marmorata, Oedura Coggeri, Oedura Monilis and various other species can easily be maintain and actually have more vivid colour and patterning to their common terrestrial cousins. As is common with most gecko species over handling is not advised.

So next time you are thinking of gecko species do not disregard our arboreal favourites just because they require a lid as this can easily and inexpensively be catered for.

I find similar requirements as above for the Strophurus genus but with the added requirement of UVA/UVB generated from either globe or a fluro.