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Description
African Fat Tail Gecko (White Out poss. het. Caramel 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, muscular tails store essential fat reserves, serving as both an energy and hydration source.
Appearance: The White Out poss. het. Caramel Patternless Zulu African Fat Tail Gecko displays the visually dominant White Out gene, known for its bold contrast, irregular marbling, and unpredictable pattern variation. Colours may range from rich browns and greys to soft creams and beige, often blending into a clouded, high-contrast pattern. This individual also carries (but does not visually express) the Caramel, Patternless, and Zulu genes—each capable of producing stunning visual offspring when paired correctly. Caramel lightens pigmentation to warm gold tones, Patternless removes markings for smooth, uniform coloration, and Zulu introduces unique head and body pattern disruption. This combination offers exceptional potential for breeding diverse and visually refined morphs.
Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, where the species inhabits dry savannas, rocky grasslands, and arid scrub regions.
Habitat: In their native environment, these geckos dwell in burrows or beneath rocks during the day to retain moisture and avoid the heat. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with compact soil-sand substrates, stable humidity, and multiple hides that replicate their natural sheltering habits.
Behaviour: African Fat Tail Geckos are nocturnal, calm, and deliberate in movement. The White Out morph retains the species’ gentle and predictable temperament, making it a great choice for both breeders and collectors.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A single adult should be kept in an enclosure measuring at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Naturalistic setups with compact soil-sand-clay blends encourage digging and humidity control. For juveniles or temporary housing, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel may be used for simplicity and safety. Provide three hides—warm, cool, and humid—to support thermoregulation and shedding.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a warm-side surface temperature of 88–92°F (31–33°C) and a cool side of 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 moist hide available at all times to ensure proper shedding.
Lighting: Although UVB lighting is not mandatory, a low-output (2–5%) UVB bulb is recommended to promote natural behaviour and improve calcium metabolism. Maintain a consistent 12-hour day/night light cycle.
Diet: Offer a rotating diet of gut-loaded crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, and silkworms. All insects should be dusted regularly with calcium and multivitamin supplements. Juveniles should be fed daily, while adults can be fed every 2–3 days.
Behaviour in Captivity: White Out African Fat Tail Geckos are calm, reliable feeders and tolerant of handling. With steady husbandry, they thrive in captivity and make excellent display or breeding animals.
Special Considerations: Always regulate heat sources with a thermostat to prevent burns. Regularly monitor tail thickness and body weight as indicators of good health and nutrition.
Sand: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Sand has been debated as a substrate due to the potential risk of impaction. When used correctly—as part of a compacted soil-sand mixture and maintained with proper temperature and hydration—the risk is minimal. Problems typically arise with loose or calcium-based sands used alongside poor husbandry. For hatchlings, juveniles, or new arrivals, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel remain the safest choices until the gecko is well established.
Taxonomy Note
The African Fat Tail Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) belongs to the Eublepharidae family, which includes the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). These eyelid geckos lack adhesive toe pads, making them fully terrestrial. The species remains taxonomically stable across its West African range, showing only mild natural variation between populations.
Genetics Note
White Out (Incomplete Dominant): Disrupts the gecko’s base pattern and coloration, creating high-contrast marbling and irregular markings. Each expression is unique, and breeding two White Outs may produce lighter “Super White Out” offspring with reduced patterning.
poss. het. Caramel (Possible Recessive Carrier): May carry one copy of the Caramel gene, which reduces melanin and introduces warm, golden-brown tones when expressed. Test breeding is required to confirm.
poss. het. Patternless (Possible Recessive Carrier): May carry one copy of the Patternless gene, which removes or heavily softens visible markings. When expressed, it results in smooth, unbanded coloration.
poss. het. Zulu (Possible Recessive Carrier): May carry one copy of the Zulu gene, which alters banding and head markings to create irregular or spotted patterns when expressed.
(“het.” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of a gene is carried but not visually expressed.)