Care Sheet - Halmahera Giant Gecko

Scientific Name
Gehyra vorex
Range
Indonesia, on various islands such as Papau New Guinea, Fiji and Tonga
Size
Up to 13 inches
Habitat
These Geckos inhabit a wide variety of habitat, mangrove forests, lowland forests they are often
found around human habitation.
Housing
These geckos are arboreal and require a reasonably sized arboreal terrarium, aim for 60 x 45 x 90cm
[24 x 18 x 36] (WxDxH) as a minimum size.
Dcor
There should be plenty of sturdy branches and plants (Natural or artificial), make sure the branches
are well secured as these are large stocky geckoes.
Live plants will help to maintain humidity. Glass or fibre glass vivariums with good ventilation
would both be suitable materials and would withstand the heavy spraying and high humidity
required.
Substrate
Substrates which help maintain humidity are suggested, such as rain forest, or orchid bark, moss,
peat, coco fibre.
1

Temperature/Humidity
As these geckos come from humid tropical forests the temperatures should be from 80-85F (2729C) in the basking area through the day, with the background ambient temperatures of 75-80F
(24-27C). Spray heavily once daily to keep humidity high.
Use a thermostat to control which ever heating device you use and a guard to stop your geckos from
burning themselves.
Feeding
There is a lot of contradictory information regarding feeding these geckos, whilst some believe
them to be carnivores. It has found this not to be the case, and it is best to treat them as omnivores
eating both fruit and insects.
Their diet should consist mostly of ripe fruit, whilst also eating various live foods. Food should be
dusted with calcium+D3 and added vitamin supplements 2 - 3 times weekly or more frequently for
juveniles or breeding females.
Breeding
They breed year round. Once a healthy pair or group is mature and well started, you will have eggs
coming on a regular schedule, making this an excellent choice for a new keepers learning about egg
handling and incubation. Breed as pairs or trios of male with one or two females.
Eggs are laid in large deli cups or trays filled with damp coconut fibre or moss, and they are similar
in size to Leopard gecko eggs, but round.
They generally lay the eggs on the ground, in the laying box (Deli cup).
Comments
Gehyra are fairly shy geckos and usually hide when approached. They can become stressed easily
when handled and great care must be taken id doing so as their skin is extremely fragile and easily
torn. Beware that they can and will bite, especially if not used to being handled. A bite can be quite
nasty as they have powerful jaws. Though some specimens do become tolerant of handling with
time.
These are very fast geckos and great care must be exercised to prevent them escaping on opening
their enclosure.

John Gamesby