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Description
African Fat Tail Gecko (Striped 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 generally being slightly larger and more robust. Their thick tails act as nutrient reserves, storing essential fat and moisture to maintain health and stability.
Appearance: The Striped Zulu African Fat Tail Gecko combines two visually expressed recessive traits that create a distinctive, high-contrast appearance. The Stripe gene forms a clean, continuous line running from the head through the tail, replacing the species’ typical banding. The Zulu gene modifies underlying patterns, introducing speckling and subtle tone variation, often creating delicate shading along the head and flanks. The combination produces a refined, earthy look with rich browns, soft greys, and beige highlights. Each individual’s pattern is slightly different, with the Zulu gene adding depth and character to the bold dorsal stripe.
Distribution: Native to West Africa, including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, where they inhabit dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and semi-arid savannas.
Habitat: In the wild, these geckos occupy burrows or shaded crevices to avoid extreme daytime heat. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that replicate these conditions, using compact soil-sand substrates, moderate humidity, and multiple hides for thermoregulation and security.
Behaviour: Striped Zulu African Fat Tail Geckos are calm, deliberate, and nocturnal. They adapt well to consistent husbandry and handling, making them suitable for both breeding and display.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A single adult should be housed in an enclosure of at least 24 inches × 18 inches × 12 inches (60 × 45 × 30 cm). Naturalistic setups with compact soil-sand-clay blends are preferred for maintaining humidity and allowing natural digging behaviour. For juveniles or temporary housing, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel are safer, low-maintenance alternatives. Include three hides—one on the warm side, one on the cool side, and one humid—to support proper 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). Keep humidity levels between 50–70%, with a damp hide available at all times to aid shedding.
Lighting: While UVB lighting (2–5%) is not required, it promotes 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, mealworms, and silkworms. Dust insects 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 responsive to handling. They thrive with consistent care and quickly adapt to a stable feeding schedule.
Special Considerations: Always regulate heat sources with a thermostat to prevent burns. Monitor tail thickness as a key indicator of health and stored energy reserves.
Sand: Addressing Concerns and Misconceptions
Sand is often debated due to its association with impaction. When used as part of a compact soil-sand mixture and maintained properly with correct heat, hydration, and feeding practices, the risk is minimal. Problems typically arise from loose or calcium-based sands combined with poor husbandry. For hatchlings, juveniles, or new arrivals, reptile carpet, tile, or paper towel are safer substrate choices until they are fully established.
Taxonomy Note
The African Fat Tail Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) belongs to the Eublepharidae family, which also includes eyelid geckos such as the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius). These geckos have movable eyelids and lack adhesive toe pads, making them fully terrestrial. The species is stable in classification and shows only minor natural variation across its native range.
Genetics Note
Stripe (Recessive): Produces a continuous dorsal stripe extending from head to tail, replacing the typical banded pattern. This gene is widely used in combination projects for its clean, balanced look.
Zulu (Recessive): Alters standard banding, introducing irregular markings, fine spotting, and subtle shading along the head and body. When paired with Stripe, it creates refined, visually complex dorsal and lateral patterning.
(“het.” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy of a gene is carried but not visually expressed. In this morph, both the Stripe and Zulu genes are visually expressed.)