Flying Geckos

Intro
The Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli) is not all that common, but with the right care they are outstanding creatures to own. They spend their lives up in trees in tropical rainforests and use their tail to glide from branch to branch. This species of gecko can be found mostly in Indonesia and the surrounding area. Flying geckos are not meant to be handled as much as crested geckos because they are very jumpy and have thin skin that can rip easily.

Appearance
A flying gecko will reach 6-8 inches in length. They are covered in brown, black and tan blotches to help them blend into their environment. Their toes are webbed and they have a flat, rudder-like tail that they use when leaping from tree to tree. They don’t really fly, they fall with style. Unfortunately in captivity there is not enough room for them to exhibit this behavior so those flaps that have formed after decades of evolution will never be used.

Handling/Aggression
These geckos can be skittish and will attempt to leap away from your hand. They are very fast and are hard to catch. They are not recommended as a children's pet, but they are beautiful geckos that you can show off to your friends.

Diet
Being insectivores, flying geckos will readily take crickets as their main food source. They will also take worms like mealworms, silk worms, phoenix worms and cut up earthworms. Young geckos should be fed 5-10 food items a day or until they get full. Adults can be fed 15 food items every three days or so. Be sure to dust all the insects with calcium to keep your flying gecko's bones strong. It is also good to gut load the worms and crickets with either commercially sold food designed for them or pieces of lettuce or other vegetables.

Housing
A 15-20 gallon tank will be adequate for 1 or 2 adult flying geckos. Two males should never be kept together because they will fight. Never keep a male and a female together unless you plan to breed them. Younger flying geckos can stay in 10 gallon enclosures, and can be housed together until they reach about 6-8 months of age. When you are choosing a cage to use, height is more important than length because they will spend little time on the ground.

Since flying geckos are arboreal creatures from a tropical rainforest the only shelter you need to provide is fairly dense foliage throughout the cage. Either live or fake plants can accomplish this. Other things like rocks can be added to make the cage attracting. Make sure you have plenty of hiding spots among the foliage on both sides of the tank so it can choose where it wants to hide.

If you are looking for the perfect setup for your Flying Gecko then you might want to check out the Reptile Glass Terrarium sold at ReptiZoo. Our company is not affiliated with ReptiZoo but will receive a small referral commission. Click the image below for more details on this beautiful enclosure.


Substrate
Substrate for this species can be simply a couple layers of paper towel that get replaced when soiled. You can also use more natural substrates like bed-a-beast or non-fertilized potting soil. These substrates are more natural and they hold in the humidity better than substrates like sand or reptile carpet.

Shelter
Since flying geckos spend most of their time off of the ground, the need a lot of live and fake plants in the cage. Hides on the ground are not needed. Provide multiple places for your gecko to hide on both sides of the tank so it can choose.

Temperature/Lighting
These geckos like temperatures around 95F for basking in and the rest of the cage can remain unheated. The easiest way to achieve 95F is with a basking light. There are lights specifically made for heating purposes that are sold at most pet stores. An 80-100 watt bulb usually works but you may need to adjust depending on the temperature of your house.

Humidity/Water
To maintain the humidity needs of a flying gecko, you should spray down the entire enclosure very well every night before you go to bed and when you wake up. The humidity should be 80% at night, and must not be below 60% during the day. A water bowl is not needed because if they become thirsty they will lick water droplets.

Cleaning
Remember to replace the substrate as needed. Take out any uneaten food items so they do not annoy your gecko. Mist the cage twice a day and spot clean as needed.

Breeding
There is little information on this species when it comes to breeding. Most are wild caught, and they require very specific environments this care sheet does not get into.

Hatchling Care
Hatchling flying geckos are small and very delicate creatures. They will need a 10 gallon tank to live in with plenty of vines and plants. They will eat crickets after about a week and their cage needs to be misted once or twice a day. Give them the same temperature as adults and use paper towel as a substrate.

Conclusion
Flying geckos are wonderful, unique pets to own. They come from the tropical rain forests of Indonesia and have specific requirements. Flying geckos are not a good first reptile, but they add a lot to reptile keeper's collection. Remember, do your research before buying any pet so that it can live happily and healthily.