Dune Gecko (Stenodactylus petrii) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Behavior

• Small, agile, and extremely fast-moving; primarily nocturnal.

• Terrestrial; spends most of its time burrowing in loose sand.

• Can be shy; minimal handling is recommended.

• Excellent for desert terrariums; uses tail for balance and displays alert posture when hunting.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 3040 liters for a pair

• Substrate: Fine desert sand or sand-soil mix at least 510 cm deep for burrowing

• Decor: Flat rocks, cork bark, shallow hides, and small branches for climbing

• Humidity: 2035%

• Temperature:

  • Warm / basking spot: 3033C

  • Ambient: 2428C

  • Night: 2022C

• Lighting: Low to moderate light; UVB optional but recommended for health

• Ventilation: Good airflow; avoid high humidity

Compatibility

• Can be housed in pairs or small groups with monitoring.

• Avoid housing with larger, aggressive, or fast-moving species that may stress the geckos.

Diet

• Carnivorous; feeds on small insects:

  • Pinhead crickets, fruit flies, small roaches, springtails

• Juveniles: feed daily

• Adults: feed every 23 days

• Provide small shallow water dish or mist lightly; geckos get most hydration from prey

Care Tips

• Provide deep substrate for natural burrowing and hiding.

• Spot-clean daily; remove feces and uneaten prey.

• Handle minimally; stress can negatively impact health.

• Maintain warm temperature gradient for thermoregulation.

Breeding

• Oviparous; females lay 12 eggs in loose sand or burrows.

• Incubation: 5065 days at 2830C.

• Hatchlings are independent and require appropriately sized insects.

Visual Quick Guide

• Enclosure: 3040 L, deep sandy substrate, hides, flat rocks

• Temp: Warm spot 3033C / Ambient 2428C / Night 2022C

• Humidity: 2035%

• Diet: Carnivorous (small insects)

• Activity: Nocturnal, terrestrial, burrower

• Stress: Provide deep substrate, hides, and minimal handling

Please note: We don’t ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.