The Cyrtodactylus Louisiadensis is a native species endemic to Far North Queensland, is the only species in Australia under the Cyrtodactylus genus, with most species of the genus being found throughout the greater Asian region and Papua New Guinea.
The Cyrtodactylus Louisiadensis has special requirements, and in most cases, there is no relevant information recorded on courtship and mating, but I have successful research and visually documented photographs of their behavior that many may find quite amazing.
This species is sometimes confused with the aggressive “wife basher”, so to speak, Pseudothecadactylus Lindneri. However, this is far from the truth, in retrospect their behavior is quite the opposite. Cyrtodactylus Louisiadensis is a relatively social species and a very affectionate species to its partner. In most cases, the male is very vocal during the breeding season and is also seen to lick the females face quite frequently to which she responds. Mating has been observed out in the open on a branch or log to which they can be bonded for an hour long period. The gestation period is 3–4 weeks depending on many variables (i.e. feeding frequency; temperatures and humidity; calcium and UVA/UVB requirements).
As the Cyrtodactylus Louisiadensis is a hard-shelled egg layer, it is imperative that calcium is constantly offered during the breeding season whether on dusted insects or moist rolled up calcium balls so not to cause any undue harm to the female and to prevent calcium deficiency and nonviable eggs.
It is also imperative that regular UVA/UVB in the form of fluorescent or spotlight are offered during the day as a basking spot.
The female will dig a small hole to lay her clutch of eggs, generally within a hidden dark area of the enclosure.
This species incubation period is rather long. It is believed that more research is required into “Temperature Sex-Based Determination” as I have found from hatching out a total of 15 juveniles that the average incubation period is between 140–150 days at a steady 86°F (27° Celsius) with a low humidity requirement in the hatching container compared to soft shelled eggs.
Cyrtodactylus Louisiadensis is the second largest gecko that is naturally found in Australia by length, while Nephrurus Amyae is the largest by weight.