Chinese Cave Gecko Care Sheet
The Chinese Cave Gecko has slowly begun to emerge from the unknown corners of the eyelid gecko pet trade, and they have through the most recent years started to gain public popularity among reptile enthusiasts that are looking for a brand new challenge to add to their collection or to even take a brave leap of faith on as a first reptile.
Do be warned, the Chinese Cave Gecko does have certain demands that cannot even compare to those of their cousin the leopard gecko, and they do present a much larger challenge when it comes to care. Tread lightly and do research when it comes to these guys!
What To Look For In A Chinese Cave Gecko:
These guys are tricky when it comes to recognizing what's healthy and what's not. Of course, like with their cousins, alertness is key. Often times Cave Geckos of multiple species are not very heavy bodied, so looking at weight is not as crucial as paying attention to awareness. Internal parasites cannot be seen, however if you spot stool within their transport container, make sure to examine it to be sure it is not runny or bloody, strangely colored or slimy. Of course make sure to avoid geckos with open sores or scale discoloration, as well as any feces caked to the vent or belly.
Where Can I Find A Chinese Cave Gecko:
Chinese Cave Geckos can be very difficult to find. Often times, the majority of those you will come across online, at shows, or from private breeders will be wild caught and imported. They will normally harbor parasites that will require treatment, and will be very difficult to domesticate and rehabilitate. Finding a Chinese Cave Gecko will be hard, and keeping a wild caught specimen going will prove to be costly, so this is something that should be considered before choosing to take on such a challenge. Once in a while you will get VERY lucky, and a captive bred juvenile can be found. The author was able to locate a private breeder willing to sell her a captive bred juvenile male from his personal collection, and has had great success caring for it over the past two months.
Housing:
Chinese Cave Geckos do not grow much larger than their cousin the leopard gecko, and often times they can exist within a 10 gallon tank decently. Some people, however, prefer the space a 20 gallon tank offers. For up to 2 geckos a 20 gallon tank will do just fine (like any gecko, do not house males together, however in general these geckos do well in solitude whether they are male or female).
Heat:
Chinese Cave Geckos are very sensitive to temperatures. They often times do not require a heat source. The author keeps her at room temperature between 76-78 degrees F, but does not allow the air to grow colder than 67 degrees F. During winter months, a heat source can be added, but these geckos do not need any UVA or UVB lighting and do not require nor prefer a heat source throughout warmer months of the year.
Vitamins:
Chinese Cave Geckos are identical to their eyelid cousins of all species in the fact that they will require a calcium and vitamin supplement added to their food to prevent illness released to calcium deficiency. Dust adults food twice to four times a week, and for juveniles dust five to seven days a week.
Diet:
Chinese Cave Geckos are picky eaters, and their diets mainly consist of crickets. Breeders have little success in offering much more, however mealworms should be offered for diversity. Crickets are a staple diet for a Chinese Cave Gecko, and are what owners have the most success with. Roaches can sometimes prove to be too big, and waxworms can be given very rarely but should not be given as a habitual snack.
Substrate:
Chinese Cave Geckos should be housed on paper towels as juveniles to avoid injuring nails or ingesting substrate while chasing crickets. As adults, coconut fiber can be used to preserve moisture. Sphagnum moss can also be used to avoid impaction and keep humidity.
Hydration:
Chinese Cave Geckos require more humidity than all other eyelid geckos (aside from the Malaysian Cat Gecko) in order to keep them healthy and thriving. They should be given a water bowl and a moist hide. Their cages should also be misted every other day to keep humidity up in their enclosure.
Decor:
Chinese Cave Geckos are a species of gecko that like to hide - and not much else. They will climb decor such as sticks and rocks that you do provide, and this can be good enrichment for the animal when it is up and about at night. The most important thing to provide is a secure hide (a moist and a dry), for the gecko to avoid stress through the day.
Handling and Temperament:
Chinese Cave Geckos are timid and easily stressed
