MOSSY LEAF-TAILED GECKO (UROPLATUS SIKORAE) CARE SHEET
The Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae) is one of Madagascar’s most extraordinary arboreal reptiles. Its flattened body, fringed skin, bark-like colouration and broad leaf-shaped tail provide exceptional camouflage against lichen-covered tree trunks.
This remarkable appearance can make the species tempting to inexperienced keepers, but Uroplatus sikorae should be considered a specialist gecko. It requires cool-to-moderate temperatures, consistently appropriate hydration, high but fluctuating humidity, excellent ventilation, abundant vertical and diagonal climbing surfaces, suitable UVB, a varied insect-based diet and minimal handling.
Overheating, chronic dehydration and poorly ventilated wet enclosures are among the most significant husbandry risks.
Captive-bred animals should always be preferred where available.
QUICK FACTS
Scientific name: Uroplatus sikorae
Common names: Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko, Mossy Leaf-Tail Gecko
Family: Gekkonidae
Origin: Madagascar
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Activity: Primarily nocturnal
Adult size: Commonly approximately 6–8 in (15–20 cm) total length, with individual variation
Lifespan: Often around 8–12+ years in good captive conditions; potentially longer
Diet: Insectivorous
Day temperature: Approximately 72–77°F (22–25°C)
Upper warm area: Approximately 77–80°F (25–27°C), rather than an intensely hot basking zone
Night temperature: Approximately 64–70°F (18–21°C)
Humidity: Generally around 70–90%, with fluctuations and regular partial drying
UVB: Low-level UVB recommended
Housing: Individual housing is the safest default
Handling: Minimal
Experience level: Intermediate to advanced
TAXONOMY
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko most properly refers to:
Uroplatus sikorae
Historically, animals now recognised as Uroplatus sameiti were treated as a subspecies of U. sikorae.
They are now recognised as separate species.
This distinction matters because animals in captivity may still occasionally be labelled using outdated terminology.
Where breeding is intended, obtain animals with reliable species identification and provenance.
Do not intentionally hybridise different Uroplatus species.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Uroplatus sikorae is endemic to Madagascar.
It is associated primarily with humid forest habitats in eastern and southeastern parts of the island, particularly at moderate elevations.
Like all Uroplatus, it is highly adapted to arboreal life.
NATURAL HABITAT
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos spend much of their lives on:
- Tree trunks
- Branches
- Bark
- Lichen-covered surfaces
- Dense forest vegetation
During daylight they frequently rely on camouflage rather than hiding inside enclosed caves.
Their body outline is broken up by dermal fringes which help them blend against bark.
At night they become considerably more active and move around the vegetation searching for prey and mates.
CAMOUFLAGE
Their camouflage is not simply decorative.
It is a major component of their normal behaviour.
A suitable enclosure should therefore provide:
- Cork bark
- Natural branches
- Vertical trunks
- Textured backgrounds
- Dense foliage
- Multiple shaded resting positions
A sparsely furnished enclosure deprives the animal of much of the environmental complexity it naturally uses.
ENCLOSURE SIZE
For a single adult, we recommend a minimum around:
24 × 24 × 36 in (60 × 60 × 90 cm).
Larger enclosures are encouraged.
Height is important, but height alone is not enough.
A tall empty enclosure provides substantially less usable habitat than a well-structured enclosure filled with branches, cork and foliage.
WHY LARGE HOUSING MATTERS
A sufficiently large vivarium allows the keeper to establish:
- Temperature gradients
- Humidity gradients
- UV gradients
- Multiple resting positions
- Feeding opportunities
- Climbing routes
- Visual cover
It also allows the gecko to choose between warmer, cooler, wetter, drier, brighter and more shaded areas.
JUVENILE HOUSING
Juveniles may be maintained in appropriately sized smaller arboreal enclosures.
However, these should still contain:
- Vertical surfaces
- Fine branches
- Dense cover
- Fresh water
- Good ventilation
- Appropriate humidity
- Suitable UVB
Do not use an unnecessarily barren setup simply because the animal is young.
The enclosure should instead be designed so that feeding and health can still be monitored easily.
ENCLOSURE TYPE
Suitable enclosures include:
- Glass arboreal terrariums
- PVC vivariums with adequate ventilation
- Purpose-built arboreal reptile enclosures
The enclosure must balance:
humidity retention with strong air exchange.
This balance is one of the most important parts of successful Uroplatus husbandry.
VENTILATION
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos require humid conditions, but:
humid does not mean stagnant.
Constantly wet, poorly ventilated air encourages:
- Mould
- Bacterial growth
- Respiratory problems
- Skin problems
- Substrate deterioration
Cross ventilation or substantial upper ventilation is highly desirable.
FURNISHINGS
Provide numerous climbing and resting surfaces.
Useful furnishings include:
- Cork bark tubes
- Cork flats
- Natural branches
- Upright bark slabs
- Vines
- Roots
- Live plants
- Artificial foliage where appropriate
BRANCH ORIENTATION
Offer:
- Vertical branches
- Diagonal branches
- Horizontal branches
Large vertical surfaces are especially valuable because U. sikorae commonly rests flattened against tree trunks during daylight.
BARK
Cork bark is particularly useful because it:
- Provides excellent grip
- Creates realistic visual cover
- Resists moisture reasonably well
- Offers textured resting surfaces
- Creates shaded crevices
Provide several bark surfaces rather than one central decoration.
FOLIAGE
Dense foliage provides:
- Security
- Shade
- Humidity retention
- Drinking surfaces
- Visual barriers
- UV refuge
The enclosure should not look empty.
LIVE PLANTS
Suitable live plants may include:
- Pothos
- Schefflera
- Ficus
- Philodendron
- Dracaena
- Other safe tropical species
Plants should be sturdy enough to tolerate the gecko’s movements.
Avoid plants recently treated with systemic pesticides or other potentially harmful chemicals.
TEMPERATURE
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos are cool-to-moderate temperature reptiles.
Maintain much of the enclosure at approximately:
72–77°F (22–25°C) during the day.
UPPER WARM AREA
A slightly warmer upper area around:
77–80°F (25–27°C)
can be provided.
This should not become an intensely hot basking site.
NIGHT TEMPERATURE
Night temperatures should generally fall to approximately:
64–70°F (18–21°C).
A clear nighttime temperature reduction is beneficial.
OVERHEATING
Heat is one of the major dangers for this species.
Avoid prolonged temperatures approaching:
82–86°F (28–30°C).
Temperatures around or above 30°C can become dangerous, particularly when accompanied by dehydration or poor ventilation.
SUMMER MANAGEMENT
In warm climates or during heatwaves, cooling may become more important than heating.
Possible measures include:
- Increasing room ventilation
- Using air conditioning
- Moving the enclosure away from warm windows
- Reducing unnecessary heat-producing equipment
- Running lighting during cooler parts of the day where practical
- Using room fans to improve ambient air movement without blasting the animal directly
Do not rely on misting alone to compensate for dangerously high temperatures.
HEATING
Many homes will require little or no supplemental heat for much of the year.
Where additional heat is required, use a:
low-output overhead heat source controlled by a thermostat.
Avoid powerful heating equipment.
THERMOSTAT
All significant heat sources should be controlled by an appropriate thermostat.
The thermostat probe must be positioned where it accurately controls the area being heated.
Never rely purely on bulb wattage.
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
Use digital thermometers to monitor:
- Upper enclosure
- Mid enclosure
- Lower/cool area
An infrared thermometer is also useful for checking branch and bark surface temperatures.
LIGHTING
Provide approximately:
12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness
as a useful general photoperiod.
Some modest seasonal variation can be provided.
NIGHT LIGHTING
Do not use visible night bulbs.
Avoid:
- Red bulbs
- Blue bulbs
- Purple bulbs
The gecko should experience genuine darkness at night.
If observation is necessary, brief low-level indirect illumination is preferable to permanently illuminating the enclosure.
UVB
Low-level UVB is recommended.
Although U. sikorae is primarily nocturnal, nocturnal does not mean that the animal naturally receives no UV radiation.
Individuals may sleep on relatively exposed tree trunks and branches during the day.
UV INDEX
A conservative target is approximately:
UVI 1.0–2.0
at the most exposed upper resting positions.
The enclosure must also provide heavily shaded areas approaching:
UVI 0.
UV GRADIENT
The objective is not to illuminate the entire enclosure equally.
Instead provide:
UV exposure + partial shade + deep shade.
The gecko chooses where to position itself.
UVB EQUIPMENT
A low-output:
linear UVB lamp
is generally preferable to a very intense point-source lamp.
Lamp selection depends upon:
- Enclosure height
- Mesh density
- Lamp output
- Reflector
- Distance to branches
- Plant cover
Mesh can considerably reduce UV transmission.
UV MEASUREMENT
Where possible, measure UV at the gecko’s actual accessible resting surfaces using an appropriate UV meter.
Otherwise follow manufacturer distance guidance conservatively.
Replace lamps according to manufacturer recommendations.
HUMIDITY
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos require high environmental humidity.
A useful general range is approximately:
70–90%.
However, this should not be interpreted as keeping the enclosure permanently soaked.
HUMIDITY CYCLE
Aim for a natural cycle:
misting → humidity rises → droplets remain available → surfaces partially dry → humidity falls → mist again.
Humidity may rise above 90% following misting, particularly overnight.
During the day, portions of the enclosure should gradually dry.
WHY DRYING MATTERS
Constant surface wetness can contribute to:
- Bacterial proliferation
- Fungal growth
- Skin problems
- Poor air quality
A healthy rainforest enclosure can be humid without being waterlogged.
MISTING
Many enclosures require:
once or twice daily misting
depending upon:
- Ventilation
- Ambient humidity
- Temperature
- Plant density
- Substrate
- Season
Automated misting systems can be useful but are not mandatory.
EVENING MISTING
A substantial evening misting period is particularly useful because these geckos become active around nightfall.
It provides fresh droplets when the animal begins moving and feeding.
HYDRATION
Dehydration is a significant concern in Uroplatus.
Monitor for:
- Sunken appearance
- Reduced activity
- Poor shedding
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Abnormal skin condition
WATER
Provide:
fresh clean drinking water at all times.
Many individuals preferentially lick droplets from leaves, glass and bark, but a water dish should still be available.
An elevated dish may be particularly useful.
SUBSTRATE
Suitable substrates include:
- Organic topsoil mixtures
- Coco-based tropical mixtures
- Orchid bark
- Leaf litter
- Sphagnum used as part of a substrate system
- Commercial tropical bioactive substrates
SUBSTRATE DEPTH
Provide enough substrate to:
- Hold moisture
- Support plants
- Buffer humidity
- Allow biological activity in bioactive setups
Do not allow it to become permanently waterlogged.
DRAINAGE
A drainage layer is useful in frequently misted planted enclosures.
It prevents standing water accumulating in the main substrate.
Drainage water should be removed when necessary.
BIOACTIVE HOUSING
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos can thrive in well-managed bioactive enclosures.
Useful clean-up crew organisms include:
- Springtails
- Suitable tropical isopods
BIOACTIVE DOES NOT MEAN MAINTENANCE-FREE
The keeper must still:
- Remove spoiled food
- Remove uneaten insects where necessary
- Clean water dishes
- Trim plants
- Monitor drainage
- Inspect equipment
- Remove excessive waste
- Monitor mould and pest populations
DIET
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos are primarily insectivorous.
A varied diet is strongly recommended.
Suitable feeders include:
- Crickets
- Locusts
- Dubia roaches where legal
- Other appropriately sized roaches
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
- Occasional appropriately sized mealworms
- Other safe captive-bred feeder insects
PREY SIZE
Feeders should be appropriately sized for the individual animal.
Avoid excessively large prey that could injure or intimidate the gecko.
FEEDER VARIETY
Do not depend exclusively on one feeder species.
A varied insect diet provides better:
- Nutritional diversity
- Behavioural enrichment
- Feeding stimulation
GUT LOADING
Feeder insects should be:
properly gut loaded before use.
Provide feeders with nutritious food and hydration before offering them to the gecko.
CALCIUM
Dust live insects appropriately with:
calcium.
The exact supplementation frequency depends upon:
- UVB availability
- Age
- Sex
- Reproductive condition
- Feeder species
- Overall diet
VITAMINS
Use an appropriate reptile multivitamin according to a planned supplementation schedule.
Avoid random heavy supplementation.
Both deficiency and excessive supplementation can cause problems.
FEEDING ADULTS
Many healthy adults can be fed approximately:
2–3 times per week.
Offer enough prey to maintain healthy body condition rather than attempting to make the animal visibly heavy.
JUVENILE FEEDING
Growing juveniles generally require feeding more frequently.
Appropriately sized insects may be offered:
most days or several times per week
depending on age, size and body condition.
FEEDING BEHAVIOUR
These geckos are nocturnal hunters.
Offering prey shortly before or after lights-out often encourages natural feeding behaviour.
REMOVE UNEATEN PREY
Do not leave large numbers of hungry feeder insects roaming permanently inside the enclosure.
Crickets in particular may:
- Disturb resting geckos
- Damage plants
- Bite reptiles
Remove excessive uneaten prey.
BODY CONDITION
Regularly assess:
- Weight
- Tail base
- Muscle condition
- Overall body shape
- Grip strength
- Activity
A digital gram scale is extremely useful.
Record weights rather than relying solely on visual assessment.
HANDLING
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos should be considered primarily display animals.
Handling should be:
minimal and purposeful.
WHY HANDLING SHOULD BE LIMITED
These geckos:
- Depend heavily on camouflage
- Can become stressed by restraint
- Have delicate skin
- Can jump unexpectedly
- Can drop their tail
- Can escape rapidly when frightened
NECESSARY TRANSFERS
When moving an animal:
- Work in a secure room
- Close doors and windows
- Move slowly
- Encourage the gecko onto a branch or hand
- Avoid grabbing
- Have a transport container ready
TAIL AUTOTOMY
Mossy Leaf-Tailed Geckos can drop their tail.
Never:
- Grab the tail
- Restrain the gecko by the tail
- Pull an animal from a branch
A lost tail does not regenerate into the elaborate original leaf-like structure.
SOCIAL HOUSING
Individual housing is the:
safest default.
MALES
Do not house adult males together.
Aggression and chronic stress can occur even where obvious fighting is not constantly observed.
PAIRS
Male/female pairs may sometimes be maintained together by experienced keepers.
However, this carries risks including:
- Persistent courtship
- Stress
- Bite injuries
- Feeding suppression
- Repeated reproductive demands on the female
Separate housing allows substantially better control.
SEXING
Adult males typically possess:
- Pronounced hemipenal bulges
- Enlarged post-cloacal structures
Sexing becomes easier as animals mature.
Juveniles can be more difficult to sex reliably.
BREEDING
Breeding should only involve:
- Healthy animals
- Mature animals
- Correctly identified animals
- Animals in good body condition
Captive breeding is strongly preferable to continued reliance on wild collection.
FEMALE CONDITION
Females must have adequate:
- Calcium
- Vitamin D status
- Hydration
- Body reserves
- Dietary variety
Repeated reproduction can place substantial demands on the female.
EGG LAYING
Females generally produce:
two eggs per clutch.
Eggs are commonly deposited within or on the substrate and may be partially concealed beneath leaf litter or vegetation.
Provide appropriate laying areas.
EGG SEARCHING
If breeding animals are maintained, check carefully around:
- Leaf litter
- Plant bases
- Cork
- Roots
- Substrate depressions
Take care not to damage eggs while cleaning.
INCUBATION
Eggs can be incubated in a suitable reptile incubation container.
Maintain the incubation medium:
slightly moist rather than wet.
INCUBATION TEMPERATURE
A conservative incubation range around:
68–75°F (20–24°C)
is appropriate.
This is not a species where extremely warm incubation should be used to accelerate development.
INCUBATION TIME
Incubation can take:
several months.
Duration varies according to temperature and individual development.
Cooler incubation generally results in longer development.
EGG ORIENTATION
If eggs must be moved after development begins:
maintain their original orientation.
Avoid unnecessarily rotating developing eggs.
HATCHLING CARE
Hatchlings should be housed in secure arboreal accommodation with:
- Fine branches
- Bark
- Foliage
- Appropriate humidity
- Good ventilation
- Fresh water
- Low-level UVB
- Suitable cool temperatures
HATCHLING TEMPERATURE
Do not keep hatchlings excessively warm.
Young Uroplatus can be particularly vulnerable to:
- Overheating
- Dehydration
HATCHLING FEEDING
Offer small appropriately sized insects such as:
- Fruit flies
- Pinhead crickets
- Tiny roach nymphs
- Other safe small feeders
Feed growing juveniles frequently and monitor body condition closely.
HATCHLING RECORDS
Record:
- Hatch date
- Parent identities
- Hatch weight
- Feeding
- Shedding
- Growth
- Health observations
This is especially valuable for captive breeding projects.
QUARANTINE
All newly acquired animals should undergo quarantine.
A minimum period around:
90 days
is a sensible general starting point.
Longer quarantine may be appropriate where animals are imported, wild caught or have uncertain health histories.
QUARANTINE ENCLOSURE
The setup should allow easy monitoring while still meeting the gecko’s behavioural needs.
Provide:
- Climbing structure
- Hiding opportunities
- Correct temperature
- Appropriate humidity
- Ventilation
- Water
Do not compromise fundamental husbandry simply to make quarantine easier.
WILD-CAUGHT ANIMALS
Historically, significant numbers of Uroplatus entered captivity through wild collection.
Wild-caught animals may arrive with:
- Dehydration
- Parasites
- Injuries
- Chronic stress
- Poor nutritional condition
They require particularly careful quarantine and veterinary assessment.
Captive-bred animals are strongly preferred.
PARASITE SCREENING
Veterinary faecal examinations are particularly worthwhile for:
- Wild-caught animals
- Imports
- Animals with unknown histories
- Animals showing weight loss or abnormal faeces
Treatment should be based on appropriate veterinary diagnosis rather than indiscriminate medication.
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS
Potential problems include:
- Dehydration
- Heat stress
- Retained shed
- Metabolic bone disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Parasites
- Respiratory infections
- Skin infections
- Injuries
- Reproductive complications
- Chronic stress
DEHYDRATION
Dehydration is one of the most important risks.
Possible signs include:
- Sunken eyes
- Reduced skin quality
- Weakness
- Poor grip
- Abnormal shedding
- Reduced activity
- Weight loss
Investigate:
- Misting
- Drinking opportunities
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Ventilation
- Underlying illness
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE
Potential signs include:
- Weak grip
- Tremors
- Limb deformity
- Soft jaw
- Difficulty climbing
- Abnormal posture
Correct calcium, supplementation and UVB are essential preventive measures.
Suspected metabolic bone disease requires veterinary assessment.
RETAINED SHED
Pay particular attention to:
- Toes
- Tail
- Skin folds
Do not automatically respond by keeping the enclosure constantly wetter.
Instead evaluate:
- Hydration
- Humidity cycle
- Diet
- Health
- Ventilation
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
Possible signs include:
- Open-mouth breathing
- Wheezing
- Clicking
- Nasal discharge
- Excessive mucus
- Abnormal breathing effort
Veterinary attention is required.
REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS
Breeding females can develop:
- Calcium depletion
- Poor condition
- Egg retention
Warning signs include:
- Persistent digging without laying
- Straining
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Distension
- Sudden appetite loss
- Major behavioural change
Seek veterinary advice promptly.
VETERINARY RED FLAGS
Seek an experienced reptile veterinarian for:
- Rapid weight loss
- Persistent anorexia
- Significant dehydration
- Repeated regurgitation
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Blood in faeces
- Abnormal breathing
- Nasal or oral discharge
- Tremors
- Weak grip
- Swollen joints
- Severe retained shed
- Wounds
- Suspected egg retention
- Prolapse
- Neurological signs
CLEANING
Spot-clean regularly.
Remove:
- Faeces
- Shed skin
- Dead insects
- Mouldy material
- Contaminated substrate
WATER HYGIENE
Water dishes should be cleaned and refilled frequently.
Misting reservoirs and tubing should also be cleaned according to manufacturer recommendations to prevent microbial buildup.
DISINFECTION
When disinfecting:
- Remove the animal
- Use reptile-appropriate products
- Follow correct dilution
- Observe required contact time
- Rinse where necessary
- Allow surfaces to dry appropriately
Never mix disinfectants.
SOURCING
Whenever possible, choose:
a documented captive-bred Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko from a reputable breeder.
Ask for:
- Exact species
- Hatch date
- Sex
- Current weight
- Feeding history
- Supplementation
- UVB history
- Parent information
- Captive-bred status
- Health history
CITES AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The genus Uroplatus is internationally regulated under:
CITES Appendix II.
This does not mean that private ownership is universally prohibited.
It means international trade is controlled and appropriate documentation may be required.
Never assume an animal can legally be imported, exported or transported internationally without paperwork.
DOCUMENTATION
Keep all relevant:
- Purchase records
- Breeder records
- CITES documentation where applicable
- Import/export documents
- Veterinary records
for the animal.
CONSERVATION
All Uroplatus species are endemic to Madagascar.
Responsible keepers should support:
- Captive breeding
- Traceable legal trade
- Accurate species identification
- Responsible record keeping
- Habitat conservation
Purchasing poorly documented animals can unintentionally encourage unsustainable or illegal collection.
NEVER RELEASE CAPTIVE GECKOS
Never release a captive gecko into the environment.
Released reptiles can:
- Die
- Spread disease
- Affect native wildlife
- Establish invasive populations
If an animal can no longer be maintained, arrange responsible rehoming.
COMMON HUSBANDRY MISTAKES
Common mistakes include:
- Keeping the enclosure too warm
- Allowing temperatures to remain near 30°C
- Providing no nighttime cooling
- Using uncontrolled heating
- Keeping the enclosure too small
- Providing height without usable climbing structure
- Too little bark or vertical surface
- Sparse foliage
- Constantly saturated conditions
- Poor ventilation
- Allowing severe drying and dehydration
- Providing no fresh water
- Using excessively strong UVB
- Providing no UVB at all
- Feeding only one insect species
- Poor feeder gut loading
- Inappropriate supplementation
- Leaving large numbers of hungry crickets loose
- Excessive handling
- Grabbing the tail
- Housing adult males together
- Assuming pairs will always coexist safely
- Breeding females in poor condition
- Failing to quarantine new animals
- Purchasing animals of uncertain origin without appropriate documentation
RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP
Before obtaining a Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko, ensure you can provide:
- A large arboreal enclosure
- Cool-to-moderate temperatures
- Reliable protection from overheating
- Nighttime temperature reduction
- Appropriate humidity
- Excellent ventilation
- Regular misting
- Fresh water
- Low-level UVB
- Dense arboreal furnishings
- A varied insect diet
- Correct supplementation
- Minimal handling
- Quarantine
- Exotic veterinary care
- Long-term commitment
SUMMARY
The Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus sikorae) is a spectacular but specialist arboreal gecko from Madagascar.
For a single adult, provide an enclosure of approximately:
24 × 24 × 36 in (60 × 60 × 90 cm) or larger.
Fill the enclosure with:
- Cork bark
- Vertical trunks
- Branches
- Vines
- Dense foliage
- Shaded resting sites
Maintain most daytime temperatures around:
72–77°F (22–25°C)
with a mild upper warm area around:
77–80°F (25–27°C).
Allow nighttime temperatures to fall to approximately:
64–70°F (18–21°C).
Avoid sustained high temperatures, particularly approaching:
86°F (30°C).
Maintain humidity generally around:
70–90%
with rises following misting and partial drying between misting cycles.
Excellent ventilation is essential.
Provide low-level UVB with approximately:
UVI 1–2
available at exposed resting positions together with deeply shaded retreats.
Feed a varied diet of appropriately sized, gut-loaded and correctly supplemented live insects.
Individual housing is the safest default.
Handling should be kept to a minimum.
Captive-bred animals from reputable breeders are strongly preferred.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This care sheet provides general husbandry guidance and does not replace species-specific research or veterinary advice. Individual requirements may vary.
Always check current legislation governing the acquisition, collection, import, transport, keeping, breeding or sale of reptiles in your jurisdiction.
If you have concerns about an animal’s health or care, consult a suitably experienced exotic or reptile veterinarian.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026