Care Guide: Geckos: Chahoua Geckos

Chahoua geckos have a blunted triangular head, large feet with sticky toe pads, a muscular prehensile tail, velvety skin, and large round eyes with vertical pupils. Exact size, color, and pattern tend to vary depending on locality, but generally speaking, chahoua geckos resemble moss and/or lichen, colored with a variety of greens, browns, reds, pinks, and/or whites.

Chahoua geckos are fairly easy to care for and tolerate humans well, making them suitable beginner-level pet reptiles. When cared for properly, they can have a 20+ year lifespan.

Enclosure

Minimum terrarium size for Chahoua geckos

Although there are many popular housing options for Chahoua geckos, we recommend an 18” L x 18” W x 36” H enclosure. We find that bigger is usually better! For example, a 24” x 24” x 48” has only a slightly larger footprint, but provides your pet with tons more space to utilize.

Can you keep two Chahoua geckos together?

Housing multiple Chahoua geckos in the same terrarium is not recommended and may result in fighting if attempted.

How to quarantine a Chahoua gecko

When you bring home a new pet reptile, it’s best practice to quarantine it first, especially if you own other reptiles.

Quarantine is the practice of isolating animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease.

Even if you don’t have other reptiles, quarantine is still essential because it allows you to closely monitor your reptile for signs of illness and administer treatment. You can use your corn reptile’s long-term enclosure for quarantine or a large plastic tub. Tubs are inexpensive and easy to clean, making them the go-to option for quarantine.

Keep the gecko in a separate room from other reptiles.
Use different equipment for the new addition than for your other reptiles.
Wash your hands thoroughly between handling other animals.
Fully disinfect the enclosure weekly.
Get the gecko checked by an experienced reptile veterinarian and treat for parasites if needed.
Observe for symptoms of disease or illness.
Check your lizard and its water bowl closely for mites, especially if the lizard is soaking. If you do find mites, treat them accordingly.

Lighting

Do Chahoua geckos need UVB?

While Chahoua geckos can survive without UVB lighting, we recommend providing it if possible. UVB lighting helps give a clear day/night cycle, provides all of the vitamin D your pet needs, strengthens the immune system, facilitates better digestion, and other benefits.

The best UVB bulbs for Chahoua geckos housed in an 18” x 18” x 36” terrarium are:

For best results, house the UVB bulbs in a reflective fixture. Position the lamp on the same side of the terrarium as the heat lamp. UVB is blocked by glass and plastic, so placing the terrarium in front of a window doesn’t count as free UVB” — in fact, it can make your terrarium too hot due to the greenhouse effect. Don’t forget to replace your bulb every 12 months!

We recommend running the lights to simulate seasonal changes and day lengths; for example, lights should be on for 8-10 hours/day during winter and 10-12 hours/day during summer. All lighting should be turned off at night. A CHE can be used at nighttime only if temperatures fall below 65F.

Heating

The best temperature for Chahoua geckos

Although many keepers find that Chahoua geckos can be housed at room temperature, we have found that they do benefit from having a low-temperature basking area. After all, they’re still reptiles, and that means they need a range of temperatures in their enclosure to help them thermoregulate,

Chahoua geckos should have a low basking temperature between 82-85°F, as measured by a digital probe thermometer with the probe positioned in the basking area. The cool zone of the enclosure should stay between 70-75°F, and nighttime temps can drop as low as 65°F. Each reptile may have different preferences and needs, so you may need to adjust these ranges up or down slightly to accommodate your pet better. It is good practice to monitor your animal and make adjustments as needed.

The best way to heat your Chahoua gecko

We recommend providing heat for a Chahoua gecko with a low-wattage incandescent bulb in a hood fixture during the day. White heat bulbs are the best way to imitate the warmth of sunlight indoors and have a less intense output than halogens, which is perfect for heat-sensitive Chahoua geckos. Ceramic heat emitters (CHEs) can also be used. We do not suggest red bulbs or blue bulbs.

How to measure terrarium temperature

Measure temperatures with a couple of digital probe thermometers. One probe should be placed on the basking surface, and the other probe should be placed on the cool side of the enclosure. With the readouts from both of these devices, you can monitor your pet’s temperature gradient at a glance.

If your basking temperatures are too warm, dial the bulbs’ heat output with a rheostat. If they are too cool, you will need higher-wattage bulbs.

Humidity

Best humidity levels for Chahoua geckos

Chahoua geckos are a tropical species, so the humidity inside their enclosure should be reasonably high: 60-80%. Humidity levels should naturally rise at night and dry out during the day.

We suggest using a digital probe hygrometer to measure humidity by placing the probe in the middle of the terrarium. This device will allow you to keep track of the humidity levels and adjust as needed to ensure that your Chahoua gecko is in a comfortable and healthy environment.

One effective method to increase humidity levels in your Chahoua gecko’s enclosure is misting the enclosure with a spray bottle once or twice a day. Misting the enclosure first thing in the morning and again at night, if necessary, is recommended.

Don’t reduce the amount of ventilation in your enclosure as an effort to reduce humidity fluctuation. Ventilation is critical to helping your gecko stay healthy, and reducing air flow increases pathogen concentration. Letting the enclosure dry out a bit during the day is okay!

Substrate

Although substrate isn’t required for Chahoua geckos since they’re arboreal, it does help maintain correct humidity levels and makes the enclosure more attractive.

Substrate mixes are also a great option. You can mix several commercial substrates or create a mixture using a combination of organic topsoil, play sand, and moss. Other self-made mixture options are possible, and you should research the subject and ratios thoroughly before starting your custom mix.

Layering a clean, chemical-free leaf litter on the substrate can also help with humidity.

The substrate should be at least 2” deep and be completely replaced every 3-4 months.If using paper towels, replace them once they are soiled. Paper towels can quickly develop mold and hold bacteria if left unchanged for too long. If you use a bare bottom enclosure, or alternative options such as tile, disinfect the material anytime they are soiled.

Ultimately, the choice of substrate for your pet’s enclosure will depend on your personal preferences and your pet’s needs. Regardless of which substrate you choose, you must maintain it properly to ensure your animal stays healthy and comfortable.

What to know about cleaning a Chahoua gecko enclosure

Replacing your Chahoua gecko’s substrate is a good time to give the entire enclosure a good cleanout. Here are some general steps to follow:

Remove your gecko from the enclosure and put it inside a temporary, escape-proof holding container.
Remove all substrate and décor.
Vacuum and wipe down the enclosure to remove leftover particles.
Apply a reptile-safe disinfectant to the floor and walls of the enclosure and let sit for the disinfectant’s recommended contact time.
Meanwhile, soak branches, rocks, hides, and other decor items in a disinfectant rated for porous materials for the recommended contact time.
If required, rinse the enclosure and the accessories with clean water to remove disinfectant residue. Allow everything to dry.
Pour new substrate into the enclosure. Mix in water until uniformly moistened but not wet.
Arrange décor.
Reintroduce your gecko to the clean setup.

Several veterinary-grade disinfectant options are available that are effective for both porous and nonporous materials, such as Chlorhexidine, F10SC, and CleanBreak. It is essential to carefully follow the instructions on the packaging to ensure safe and proper use. Alternatively, you can disinfect enclosures by using a diluted bleach solution. For porous materials, a 1:10 dilution is recommended, while for nonporous materials, a 1:50 dilution should be used.

Can bioactive work for Chahoua geckos?

Bioactive vivariums can be a good choice of housing for Chahoua geckos because they are better at maintaining appropriate humidity levels and are generally more attractive than other options, which is especially nice if your gecko likes to hide most of the time. Bioactive vivariums have the additional benefit of eliminating the need for total cleanouts, and a healthy vivarium always has a fresh, earthy aroma.

Some downsides of bioactive set-ups are that they require at least one month to get established before the reptile is introduced, the plants may get repeatedly dug up, and bioactive is usually more expensive to set up in the short term. CUC (Clean Up Crew) organisms may occasionally escape. Some maintenance, such as plant care and partial soil replacements, are still necessary.

If you want to put together a bioactive setup for your gecko, you will need all of the supplies recommended in this article, plus a few more things:

bioactive-ready substrate mix
clean leaf litter
sturdy live plants (nontoxic)
6500K LED or fluorescent grow lamp, spanning most of the enclosure’s length
CUC organisms to maintain the soil

While it’s possible to mix your own tropical bioactive substrate, if this is your first attempt at bioactive, you’re most likely to have success if you use a pre-mixed bioactive substrate available commercially, such as through Bio Dude or Josh’s Frogs.

Good options for CUC for a bioactive Chahoua gecko vivarium include: dwarf white isopods, powder orange/blue isopods, springtails, mealworms.

Décor

How to decorate a Chahoua gecko terrarium

We have found that providing environmental enrichment for your Chahoua gecko can greatly improve its quality of life by keeping it stimulated and engaged. Adding carefully selected décor items can encourage natural behaviors and exercise, leading to a happy and healthy pet.

Since Chahoua geckos are strictly arboreal, we suggest providing them with branches and some live or artificial foliage for it to hide in. However, it’s best to include other items, such as:

Live plant options for Chahoua geckos

Chahoua geckos may not be particularly heavy, but they are arboreal, and that means any plant you put in the enclosure must be able to support their weight during climbing and jumping activity

Here are some plants for Chahoua geckos:

Dracaena
Ficus
Peperomia
Philodendron
Pothos
Schefflera
Spider plant

Larger, older plants are more expensive to buy, but they are also sturdier and more likely to support your gecko’s natural behaviors.

Food

What to feed to a Chahoua gecko

Chahoua geckos are omnivores, meaning they need to eat plant- and animal-based foods to get the right nutrition. In the wild, they primarily eat insects and fruit, but they also sometimes eat small lizards. As pets, we suggest feeding them a high-quality, specially-formulated Chahoua gecko diet (CGD) supplemented by live insect feeders.

How often chahoua geckos need to eat depends on age:

Hatchlings and Juveniles (0-12 months) — CGD daily, insects 1-2x/week
Adults (12 months) — CGD every 2-3 days, insects 1x/week

Best gecko diets: Pangea, Repashy, Leapin’ Leachie, Zoo Med, Lugarti, Black Panther Zoological, Gecko Pro

Feeder insects for chahoua geckos: dubia roaches, discoid roaches, crickets, hornworms, mealworms, darkling beetles

The key to balanced nutrition is variety, so make sure to offer a rotation of as many different foods as possible. We suggest offering food from a small bowl in a wall-mounted feeding ledge rather than on the ground.

Do Chahoua geckos need vitamins?

You will also need a calcium supplement. We recommend lightly dusting on all feeder insects, Repashy Supercal NoD, or Arcadia EarthPro CalciumPro Mg. It’s okay to skip a dusting occasionally.

Providing drinking water for Chahoua geckos

Of course, don’t forget small food and water bowls and a feeding ledge! Since Chahoua geckos are arboreal, they prefer to eat and drink up off the ground. And no, misting may not be enough to keep your gecko properly hydrated — reptiles need consistent access to fresh water in a bowl.

Change the water daily and scrub the bowl with a reptile-safe disinfectant weekly or whenever it becomes soiled.

Handling

How to handle your Chahoua gecko

Reptiles generally don’t appreciate petting and handling in the same way that dogs and cats do. That being said, Chahoua geckos usually tolerate handling well. Here are some tips for success:

Don’t grab the gecko from above. Instead, scoop from below or from the side.
Support its entire body and all four feet.
Start with short handling sessions at first, then gradually make them longer.
Be confident! If you are nervous, the gecko will likely feel anxious too!

Your gecko may be a bit jumpy at first, so let it hop from one hand to the other until it has calmed down.

Taming tips for Chahoua geckos

Chahoua geckos have a reputation for being great beginner reptiles, so they’re often also perceived as easy to tame. However, this isn’t always the case. Chahoua geckos can be skittish and jumpy, especially when they’re young. Even if you have a calm gecko, you still have to work to gain their trust and be especially careful to create a positive association with yourself in their mind. It’s best to encourage your pet to come out of the enclosure and climb onto you independently rather than simply grabbing them whenever you’re in the mood for handling. We do not suggest directly grabbing your pet from its hiding place, which may make it feel unsafe.

Treats and hand-feeding are very effective for teaching your gecko that you are not something to be feared since hunger can motivate your pet to move outside of its comfort zone. Use soft-tipped feeding tongs if you’re nervous about being bitten.

How to provide enrichment for a Chahoua gecko

Enrichment strategically provides items and activities to encourage a captive animal to exercise natural behaviors. This also helps increase activity, reduce stress, and increase the animal’s welfare.

Here are some suggestions to provide enrichment for Chahoua geckos:

Rearrange the enclosure. If total overhauls are too stressful for your pet, move one thing every so often at your pet’s pace.
Scatter feeding. Instead of offering their food in the same place every time, try moving the feeding platform occasionally to stimulate your gecko’s foraging instincts.
Supervised exploration time outside of the enclosure. Make sure to keep them away from situations that you can’t get them out of.

Health

When should you take a Chahoua gecko to the vet?

Dogs and cats aren’t the only pets who need veterinary care — geckos get sick and need professional help like any other pet. If you notice that your Chahoua gecko has any of the following symptoms, make an appointment with an experienced reptile vet right away:

Mucus discharge from the mouth/nose/eyes
Persistent lethargy
Unexplained weight loss
Persistent lack of appetite
Straining/inability to defecate
Large patches of missing scales
Open wounds
Swelling or bumps anywhere on the body
Sudden, unusually aggressive behavior

You can find a reputable reptile vet near you with the ARAV Find a Vet tool.

This care sheet contains only basic information. Although it’s a good introduction, please further your research with high-quality sources. The more you know, the better you will be able to care for your pet!