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Description
African Fat Tail Gecko (White Out Patternless Zulu)
Scientific Name: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
Common Name: African Fat Tail Gecko
Species Overview
Size: Adult African Fat Tail Geckos typically reach 7–8 inches (18–20 cm) in length, with males being slightly larger and more robust. Their thick tails store essential fat reserves, reflecting their overall health and condition.
Appearance: The White Out Patternless Zulu African Fat Tail Gecko is a rare and visually complex combination morph. The Patternless gene removes most body markings, creating a smooth, uniform base tone; the Zulu gene subtly influences head and body shading, often adding faint undertones or speckling; and the White Out gene dramatically disrupts pigmentation, producing light marbling, pale gradients, and unpredictable tonal shifts. The result is a soft, cloudy gecko displaying beige, grey, and cream hues with muted highlights—sometimes appearing “frosted” or smoky under light. Each individual is unique, making this morph highly sought after among advanced breeders and collectors.
Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, where the species inhabits dry savannas, rocky grasslands, and semi-arid scrubland.
Habitat: In their natural range, African Fat Tail Geckos spend the day sheltered in burrows or beneath rocks to escape extreme heat and retain moisture. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with compacted soil-sand substrates, moderate humidity, and multiple hides for security and thermoregulation.
Behaviour: Calm, deliberate, and nocturnal, these geckos are easily acclimated to captivity. The White Out Patternless Zulu morph shares the species’ typical tolerance for handling and consistent feeding habits.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A single adult should be housed in an enclosure measuring at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Naturalistic setups are preferred, using compact soil-sand-clay blends that allow for burrowing. For juveniles or during quarantine, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel can be used for safety and ease of cleaning. Include three hides—warm, cool, and humid—to ensure proper thermoregulation and shedding.
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 drop safely to 70–74°F (21–23°C). Keep humidity between 50–70%, ensuring a damp hide is always available for shedding support.
Lighting: While UVB lighting is not essential, providing a low-output UVB bulb (2–5%) encourages natural behaviour and supports calcium metabolism. Maintain a consistent 12-hour day/night cycle.
Diet: Feed a varied diet of gut-loaded crickets, dubia roaches, silkworms, and mealworms. Supplement insects with calcium and multivitamins regularly. Juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every 2–3 days.
Behaviour in Captivity: White Out Patternless Zulu geckos are calm, hardy, and adapt well to routine care. They tolerate handling once accustomed to their environment and make excellent display specimens due to their distinct visual appeal.
Special Considerations: Always regulate heating with a thermostat to prevent burns. Monitor tail thickness as an indicator of fat reserves and overall health.
Sand: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Sand has been debated as a substrate for geckos due to the risk of impaction. When used as part of a compact soil-sand mixture and paired with proper heating, hydration, and husbandry, it poses minimal risk. Issues usually arise with loose or calcium-based sands and poor maintenance. For hatchlings, juveniles, or recovering geckos, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel are safer until they are well established.
Taxonomy Note
The African Fat Tail Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) belongs to the Eublepharidae family, which includes other eyelid geckos such as the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). Unlike most geckos, these species retain movable eyelids and lack adhesive toe pads, making them fully terrestrial. The species remains taxonomically stable, showing mild natural variation across its native range.
Genetics Note
White Out (Incomplete Dominant): Modifies the gecko’s base coloration and disrupts natural patterns, producing irregular, marbled markings and soft tonal gradients. Two copies of this gene create “Super White Outs,” which are lighter and further pattern-reduced.
Patternless (Recessive): Removes or heavily reduces visible markings, creating a clean, smooth body tone. When combined with other morphs, it enhances uniformity and highlights subtle colour transitions.
Zulu (Recessive): Alters the typical banding and head pattern, often producing faint markings or tonal shifts. When combined with Patternless and White Out, its effects are muted but contribute to unique shading and texture.
(“het.” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of a gene is carried but not visually expressed. In this morph, all three traits are visually expressed.)