My Collection

Geckos From Around the World


Geckos in my collection hail from areas throughout the world. I work with gecko species from Australia, New Caledonia, Africa, China, and the Middle East. The diversity of geckos throughout the world is truly astounding and I will continue to add new species each year. Check back often for updates.

Geckonia (Tarentola) chazalia
Helmeted Gecko

The helmeted gecko is the favorite terrestrial species that I currently keep. The distinctive row of enlarged scales at the base of the skull give this gecko its unique look and common name. Alert, active, and fearless, these small geckos pace back and forth along the front of their tanks hoping for a handout when I enter the room.  Many nocturnal terrestrial species are shy and rarely seen- this is not the case with these active little geckos. They will aggressively take food items from tongs or my fingers. Once relatively common in the hobby, this species has become increasingly difficult to find. I have put together a diverse group of 2.3.1 animals and have recently had some success in producing some CB offspring. I hatched out about a dozen of these in 2009, and am currently holding back 7 or 8. Some of these will be available for sale in the spring of 2010.

Rhacodactylus ciliatus
"Crested Gecko"

Easy to care for, widely available, and coming in many colors and patterns, crested geckos are often considered the ideal starter gecko. However, the genetic possibilities of this species appeal to even the most advanced keepers.  I work with a couple of breeding groups of crested geckos and have refined certain traits over several generations of selective breeding, and this is one of the species I am probably best known for.  I almost always have crested geckos available for sale. If I had to limit my gecko collection to a single species, the crested gecko would have to be my choice. I plan on breeding 4 females in 2010.

Rhacodactylus chahoua
Mossy Prehensile-tailed Gecko

This slightly larger cousin of the crested gecko has a unique personality and a cryptic coloration of mossy greens, browns, and grays that afford this gecko wonderful camouflage amongst the bark and vegetation of its habitat. I am currently in the process of adding chahouas to my collection. Currently a subadult pair of Pine Island chahouas calls Ridge and Valley Reptiles home. More will be added in the future.

Rhacodactylus sarasinorum
Sarasin's Giant Gecko

Picture
Another close cousin of the ever popular crested gecko, Rhacodactylus sarasinorum at first glance may appear very similar to a ciliatus without the crests. To me the sarasinorum have more of a "long and lean" look to them. Some selective breeding for specific traits has begun on a very limited basis, but most of these geckos still exhibit a "wild look". They tend to be a bit quicker than crested geckos, and perhaps a bit more nervous, but some report that they tame down quite easily with consistent handling. My subadult pair comes from Allen Repashy. They should be ready to breed in 2011.

Eurydactylodes agricolae 
Chameleon Gecko

Another native of the island of New Caledonia, E. agricolae can be kept in much the same manner as crested geckos, but in smaller enclosures as they are a much smaller gecko than any of the Rhacodactylus. At first glance, these may appear to be a rather small, drab gecko, but it is upon closer inspection and observation that the unique nature of this gecko can be appreciated. This is a relatively slow moving gecko which likes to hug tightly to a vine, branch, or even your finger. Their coloration allows them to blend into their environment perfectly. I have a young pair which produced 3 tiny offspring in their first year of breeding. I currently have 2.2 and eggs in the incubator

Nephrurus milli
Australian Thick-tailed Gecko

While not as commonly available as such species as crested geckos or leopard geckos, milli are considered to be one of the best starter geckos for those who wish to work with members of the Australian "knobtail family".  Not quite as shy as some of the other Nephrurus geckos, the milli are an attractive and entertaining subject to observe, and will even tolerate a small amount of handling. You've just got to love those big, dark Nephrurus eyes. I currently keep 3.3 N. milli, and hatched out 7 babies in 2009. Some of these will be available in the spring of 2010.

Nephrurus levis
Smooth Knobtail Gecko

Picture
The newest addition to my group of Australian geckos are a young pair of Nephrurus levis hatchlings. These are sometimes referred to as "smooth skinned" knobtails as opposed to the "rough skinned" knobtails such as Nephrurus wheeleri or Nephrurus amyae. These geckos are kept a bit moister than their rough skinned cousins, and often burrow into moist sand or kick sand to close the opening of their hide to help preserve moisture. Like all the Nephrurus geckos, the big dark eyes and perpetually "smiling" appearance make these a very visually appealing gecko. They have been on my "wanted list" for quite a while and I look forward to working with them and seeing them develop.

Nephrurus wheeleri
Rough Knob Tail Gecko

Only a few short years ago, Nephrurus wheeleri were very hard to come by and demanded top dollar. Today, availability has increased and the price has dropped to a level that shouldn't be too daunting to the serious hobbyist. This prehistoric looking gecko from the arid deserts of Australia is relatively easy to keep and can be quite prolific. The roughly scaled skin sets this group apart from the smooth skinned knobtails. Eggs are incubating and offspring should be available soon.

Palmatogecko rangei
Web-footed Gecko

Web-footed geckos are uniquely adapted to the sandy environment of the Namibian desert of Southern Africa. The webbed feet of this species are unique in the gecko world and allow this gecko to easily traverse the soft sands of its native habitat. This small gecko may appear somewhat fragile, but is surprisingly tough. In their native habitat, they have been observed active at temperatures barely above freezing! They have recently been reclassified as members of the Pachydactylus genus, but the old moniker of Palmatogecko still seems to be more widely used. In addition to the unique toes, the eyes of this species are spectacular. I lost my female during brumation so my breeding plans have been set back. I currently have 2 males and will be looking for a female or some unsexed young in the future so that I can restart this breeding project.

Goniurosaurus luii
Chinese Cave Gecko

Picture
A couple of years ago, I saw some young G. luii available at a reptile show and they really grabbed my attention. The orange coloration was almost electric! After a quick look around the show to see what else might be available, I decided to buy them, but found that they had quickly sold out. Since that time I have been on the lookout for some and finally picked up a juvie pair at Tinley. This is a strikingly colored member of the Goniurosaurus genus, and somewhat hard to find compared to the more common G. hainanensis. Like all Goniurosaurus, they are a shy species, but I find my luii to be more visible and not quite as shy as my hainanensis. It will probably be 2011 before I begin to breed this species.

Goniurosaurus hainanensis
Chinese Cave Gecko

The Goniurosaurus genus contains some truly stunning species. The deep red eyes are a distinctive feature. The hainanensis are relatively easy to keep and breed as long as proper care conditions are met, but don't let the sometimes used common name "Chinese leopard gecko" fool you into thinking these can be kept the same way as the "leopard gecko" which is found in almost every pet store.  Goniurosaurus are a very shy and reclusive group of geckos, and can be stressed by excessive handling and human activity. I see mine less than any of my other species, but when I do, I still marvel at the beauty of this species. I currently have a very nice male and a subadult female of this species. I will attempt to breed this species in late 2010 or early 2011.

Eublepharis macularius
Leopard Gecko

The leopard gecko is the most widely available and  captive bred gecko in the world. The number of different genetic morphs that have been created within this species is truly incredible, and hard to keep up with, as they change so rapidly. I kept leopard geckos back in the late 1990's and am amazed at how much change has occurred in the last 10 years. I have a single pair of leopard geckos which I keep in my high school science classroom at the school where I teach. The students enjoy observing the animals each day.  Along with crested geckos, leopard geckos are usually recommended as the ideal "starter gecko" for those buying their first animal.  I may produce some offspring in 2010.

Chondrodactylus angulifer
Namibian Giant Ground Gecko

Picture
Male
A new addition in 2010. I have been looking for this species for a couple of years. This is another gecko adapted to the harsh desert environment of Namibia. They have powerful jaws which are said to be capable of delivering a painful bite. There's something about big "blockheaded" geckos that I like. This species is also interesting in that the males are easily distinguished from the females by a row of white spots which the females lack. I was fortunate enough to be able to pick up a very nice trio this spring, and I am enjoying them immensely. They will be ready to breed this summer. With luck, I should have babies available by fall of 2010.

Pristurus carteri
Scorpion Gecko

Picture
Female
Another new addition in 2010, these unique geckos have been on my watchlist for a while now. These small, diurnal geckos are alert and watch my every move when I enter the gecko room. The common name "scorpion gecko" comes from the interesting way these geckos arch their tails over there backs. It is said that the tails play a role in communication. Unfortunately, both members of the pair dropped their tails during shipping to me. They have both regenerated a stub tail, but will never have the same full tail that they once had. With or without tails, this is a very interesting and unique species. This pair will be put together for breeding by early / mid summer. With luck, I may succeed in breeding this uncommon species.

Gonatodes vittatus
Wiegmann's Striped Gecko

Picture
Officially the smallest gecko in my current collection, I picked up a couple of young, unsexed Gonatodes vittatus in the spring of 2010. The males of this genus often exhibit strikingly beautiful colors and patterns, while the females are much less flashy. I believe the two I picked up are both males, as both are now starting to exhibit the bright white dorsal line and bits of bright yellow around the head and throat that are commonly seen in males of this species. I may be looking for a female or two in the future if I choose to start a breeding group of these brightly colored little "mini-geckos".

Oedura castelnaui
Northern Velvet Gecko

Picture
I have a single, unsexed, amelanistic Oedura castelnaui which I picked up in the spring of 2010. While this gecko was picked up as an afterthought addition in a package deal, I have often considered adding an Oedura to my collection. This was a chance to "get my feet wet" with this genus so-to-speak without investing too much in a project. While many have focused on producing amelanistic castelnaui, I find the "normal" color phase quite attractive as well.