israeli dune gecko

[2bacop]

Does anyone have an Israeli dune gecko??? I have been looking at them online for awhile and my local pet store (not where I work) has just started caring them. I know about lighting and habitat and some behavior but I wanted to know if anyone had any first hand experiance/

 

[Haroldo]

I'm not a fan of common names for this very reason, but I can only assume you are referring to geckos of the Stenodactylus genus. Perhaps S. petri or S. sthenodactylus? I kept both species and two forms of the former for several years up until recently (I abandoned that aspect of my program and sent them off to a friend so he can work with them.)

2 forms side by side of S. petri:

Can't find any pictures of S. sthenodactylus at the moment, but will get you one in the morning.

What info are you seeking?

 

[2bacop]

thanks! That is exactly what I am talking about I was looking at the S. sthenodactylus I just want to know about temperment and maybe about housing a few together, whate gender does well together that sort of thing.

 

[MonteQ's]

They're pretty communal for the most part. Most keep them in fairly large colonies from what I hear. I have a few small groups, and haven't had any issues with aggression yet. Mine aren't too flighty, but I wouldn't recommend handling them more than absolutely necessary. They're really fast when they want to be...

Here's a link to a few pics of my S. Sthenodactylus...

http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=27466

 

[2bacop]

Thanks and the care sheet helped too, so it is alright to keep 2 females together? My local pet store has them and I dont think they know what they are can you tell at a young age?

 

[MonteQ's]

Yes, you can keep multiple females together. Just keep an eye on them to be sure everyone is feeding and getting along...

I'm not sure I understand your second question.

 

[2bacop]

Yes, you can keep multiple females together. Just keep an eye on them to be sure everyone is feeding and getting along...

I'm not sure I understand your second question.

basically my question is how can you tell a male from a female because the pet store I am getting them from has 3 of them and i dont think they know which is which

 

[MonteQ's]

My bad...didn't know if you wanted to differentiate between the various forms...

Honestly, these guys can be tough to sex when they are young. If your eyes are good, aside from the typical bulges, males will have two pores where their rear legs meet the torso. As they get a little older, the males retain a pretty slender build. Females on the other hand will get pretty stocky, and begin to develop calcium sacks near the base of the jaw...

Part of me thinks there may also be clues in their color/patterning, but I haven't been working with them long enough to back that up...

Hope this helps.

 

[2bacop]

My bad...didn't know if you wanted to differentiate between the various forms...

Honestly, these guys can be tough to sex when they are young. If your eyes are good, aside from the typical bulges, males will have two pores where their rear legs meet the torso. As they get a little older, the males retain a pretty slender build. Females on the other hand will get pretty stocky, and begin to develop calcium sacks near the base of the jaw...

Part of me thinks there may also be clues in their color/patterning, but I haven't been working with them long enough to back that up...

Hope this helps.

It does thanks one more question is it better to house them in pairs because the pet store sold two so there is only one left I just wanna know if I should wait til they get more

 

[MonteQ's]

I haven't housed them individually over a long period.

I separated my second group for the first 30 days to make sure everyone was healthy and eating. I really didn't notice a difference.

They do seem more comfortable in their 10 gallon as opposed to the 6qt tubs...Might just have been the movement around feeding time though.

 

[Rhiannon.]

St.petrii

Hi, i need some help, i've been reading forums for ages.
I bought two gecko's from a southern aquatics shop four years ago, but they told me how to house them and stuff, but reading forums, it seems i'm doing it wrong..when i bought them, they said it was a st.petrii gecko? I will upload a photograph when i can. But i've got questions if anyone can help like? ..
what lighting do i use? what form of heat? how to sex the gecko?