African Fat-tailed Gecko (Whiteout Patternless)

African Fat-tailed Gecko (Whiteout Patternless)

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 bulkier. Their thick tails serve as natural fat reserves, storing nutrients that support hydration, energy balance, and long-term health.

Appearance: The Whiteout Patternless African Fat-tailed Gecko is a refined and visually striking double morph that merges two powerful traits: Whiteout and Patternless. The Patternless gene removes banding and markings, leaving a smooth, uniform colour across the body and tail. The Whiteout gene, which alters pigmentation and pattern structure, further softens the tones—creating subtle marbling, gradients, or diffuse shading across a creamy or pastel base. The result is an elegant, ghostly appearance that varies between individuals, ranging from nearly solid beige or light grey to faintly clouded tones. This combination produces one of the cleanest and most modern looks within the species.

Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, where the species thrives in dry grasslands, rocky terrain, and semi-arid savannas.

Habitat: In the wild, African Fat-tailed Geckos seek shelter in burrows or under rocks to avoid heat and conserve moisture. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums replicating these conditions with compact soil-sand substrates, stable humidity, and multiple hides for security and thermoregulation.

Behaviour: Whiteout Patternless geckos are calm, deliberate, and nocturnal. They are hardy and tolerant of handling once accustomed to regular care, making them an excellent choice for breeders and collectors alike.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide an adult enclosure measuring at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Naturalistic setups with compact soil-sand-clay blends are ideal for burrowing and humidity control. For juveniles or quarantine housing, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel can be used for simplicity and safety. Include three hides—one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and one humid hide 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 may safely drop to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Keep humidity between 50–70%, ensuring one moist hide is always available for shedding.

Lighting: While UVB lighting (2–5%) is not mandatory, it promotes natural behaviour and calcium metabolism. Maintain a consistent 12-hour day/night light cycle.

Diet: Feed a rotating diet of gut-loaded crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and silkworms. Dust all feeders regularly with calcium and multivitamin supplements. Juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every 2–3 days.

Behaviour in Captivity: These geckos are calm, steady, and thrive under consistent conditions. Their predictable nature and stunning visuals make them excellent display animals.

Special Considerations: Always use thermostats to regulate heat sources and prevent overheating. Monitor tail thickness as a key indicator of stored energy and overall health.

Sand: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions

Sand remains a debated substrate due to impaction concerns. When used as part of a compact soil-sand mixture and paired with proper heat, hydration, and feeding, it poses minimal risk. Most problems occur with loose or calcium-based sands combined with poor husbandry. For hatchlings, juveniles, or newly introduced geckos, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel are safer until the animal is well established.

Taxonomy Note

The African Fat-tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) belongs to the Eublepharidae family, which includes other eyelid geckos such as the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). Unlike geckos with adhesive toe pads, this family retains movable eyelids and lacks climbing adaptations, making them fully terrestrial. The species is taxonomically stable, displaying only mild natural variation across its West African range.

Genetics Note

Whiteout (Incomplete Dominant): Alters the gecko’s overall pigmentation and disrupts pattern structure, often creating marbling, ghosting, or muted contrast. Each individual’s expression varies, ranging from soft blending to high-contrast shading.

Patternless (Recessive): Removes or significantly reduces markings and body banding, resulting in a clean, uniform appearance with smooth colour distribution.

Whiteout Patternless (Combination): The fusion of these two genes produces an elegant, muted visual with creamy tones and soft marbling. The degree of pattern suppression depends on the expression of each trait, leading to subtle individual differences.

(“het.” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of a gene is carried but not visually expressed. In this morph, both the Whiteout and Patternless genes are visually expressed.)