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Description
African Fat-tailed Gecko (Striped Tangerine Amel)
Scientific Name: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
Common Name: African Fat-tailed Gecko
Species Overview
Size: Adult African Fat-tailed Geckos typically reach 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) in length, with males often being slightly larger and more muscular. Their thick tails store essential fat and moisture, helping them maintain long-term health and hydration.
Appearance: The Striped Tangerine Amel African Fat-tailed Gecko is a bright and visually captivating morph that combines the recessive Amel (Albino) gene with the Tangerine colour trait and the bold dorsal Stripe gene. The Amel gene removes dark pigmentation, replacing it with warm orange, pink, and cream tones. The Tangerine line intensifies these hues, producing vivid orange bands and highlights, while the Stripe gene creates a continuous or near-continuous line running from head to tail. The combination results in a radiant, high-contrast gecko with smooth gradients of peach and tangerine along the body and tail. Eye colour is typically soft pink or red, completing its striking, sun-warmed appearance.
Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, where the species inhabits dry grasslands, rocky savannas, and semi-arid scrublands.
Habitat: In their natural environment, African Fat-tailed Geckos remain hidden in burrows or under rocks during the day to avoid heat and retain moisture. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums featuring compact soil-sand substrates, stable humidity, and multiple hides for security and thermoregulation.
Behaviour: These geckos are calm, nocturnal, and deliberate in their movements. The Striped Tangerine Amel morph retains the species’ naturally docile temperament, making it an excellent display or breeding specimen.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide an adult enclosure of at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Naturalistic setups with compact soil-sand-clay mixtures encourage burrowing and help maintain proper humidity. For juveniles or temporary housing, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel may be used for safety and ease of cleaning. Include at least three hides—one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and one humid—to support shedding and temperature regulation.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a warm-side surface temperature of 88–92°F (31–33°C) and a cool side around 75–80°F (24–27°C). Nighttime temperatures can safely drop to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Humidity should remain between 50–70%, with a damp hide available for shedding.
Lighting: Although UVB lighting (2–5%) is not mandatory, it promotes healthy behaviour and calcium metabolism. Maintain a consistent 12-hour day/night light cycle.
Diet: Feed a variety of gut-loaded insects including crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and silkworms. Dust insects with calcium and multivitamin supplements on a regular schedule. Juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every 2–3 days.
Behaviour in Captivity: These geckos are calm, steady, and tolerant of handling. Their bright coloration and reliable feeding response make them a rewarding addition for keepers and breeders alike.
Special Considerations: Always regulate heating devices with a thermostat. Monitor tail thickness and body condition as indicators of health and nutritional status.
Sand: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Sand remains a debated substrate among gecko keepers due to potential impaction risks. When used as part of a compact soil-sand mixture and maintained with proper heat, hydration, and feeding, it poses minimal danger. The main issues occur with loose or calcium-based sands used with poor husbandry. For hatchlings, juveniles, or new arrivals, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel are safer until fully established.
Taxonomy Note
The African Fat-tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a member of the Eublepharidae family, which also includes eyelid geckos such as the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). These geckos possess movable eyelids and lack adhesive toe pads, making them fully terrestrial. The species is taxonomically stable, showing minor natural variation across its range.
Genetics Note
Amel (Recessive): Removes all dark pigmentation, producing soft pink, cream, and orange tones. Eye colour becomes red or pink due to the absence of melanin.
Tangerine (Polygenic/Line-bred): Enhances warm pigmentation, deepening orange and peach tones. This trait can be selectively bred for intensity and saturation over generations.
Stripe (Recessive): Produces a clean, continuous or broken dorsal stripe running from head to tail, replacing the typical banded pattern.
(“het.” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of a gene is carried but not visually expressed. In this morph, the Amel and Stripe genes are expressed, while Tangerine is a selectively bred trait.)