White-Spotted Wall Gecko (Tarentola annularis) Care Sheet
The White-Spotted Wall Gecko (Tarentola annularis) is a robust, highly adaptable African gecko associated with rocky habitats, cliffs, trees, buildings and other vertical surfaces. It is also encountered under common names including White-Spotted Gecko and, occasionally, Crocodile Gecko because of its heavily tuberculated, armour-like appearance.
Unlike many familiar pet geckos, Tarentola annularis is a powerful, predominantly nocturnal wall-dwelling species capable of moving rapidly across rough vertical surfaces.
Correct husbandry should therefore provide:
- Substantial vertical climbing space
- Rough rock and cork surfaces
- Numerous narrow crevices
- Strong overhead daytime lighting
- Appropriate UVB
- A pronounced thermal gradient
- Relatively dry, well-ventilated conditions
- Access to more humid retreats
- A varied live-invertebrate diet
These geckos are best regarded primarily as:
display and observation animals rather than handling pets.
Captive-bred animals should be preferred wherever available.
QUICK FACTS
Scientific name: Tarentola annularis
Common names: White-Spotted Wall Gecko, White-Spotted Gecko, Ringed Wall Gecko
Family: Phyllodactylidae
Native range: Northern and north-eastern Africa and adjoining regions
Lifestyle: Saxicolous and scansorial — primarily rock and wall dwelling
Activity: Primarily nocturnal/crepuscular, although animals may bask or emerge during daylight
Adult total length: Commonly approximately 6–8 in; large individuals may approach approximately 8–9 in
Lifespan: Approximately 10–15+ years with appropriate care
Diet: Insectivorous
Minimum enclosure for one adult: Approximately 2 × 1½ × 2 ft
Preferred enclosure: Approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft or larger
Basking surface: Approximately 35–40°C (95–104°F)
Warm daytime area: Approximately 27–30°C (81–86°F)
Cool area: Approximately 22–25°C (72–77°F)
Night: Approximately 18–23°C (64–73°F)
Humidity: Generally moderate with good ventilation and more humid retreats
UVB: Recommended as part of modern captive husbandry
Suggested maximum exposed UVI: Approximately 1–2, with extensive lower-UV and shaded areas
Diet: Varied live invertebrates
Housing: Individual housing is safest
Handling: Limited
Reproduction: Egg-laying
Experience level: Beginner-intermediate to intermediate
TAXONOMY
The accepted scientific name is:
Tarentola annularis
It belongs to:
Family: Phyllodactylidae
Genus: Tarentola
The genus contains numerous wall geckos adapted to rocky and structurally complex environments.
COMMON-NAME CONFUSION
“Crocodile Gecko” is not a precise scientific name and is used for more than one heavily textured gecko in the reptile hobby.
This care sheet specifically covers:
Tarentola annularis**.**
Always establish the scientific identity of an animal before applying species-specific husbandry.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Tarentola annularis is native to parts of:
northern and north-eastern Africa and adjoining regions.
Its distribution includes populations associated with dry and seasonally dry environments.
The species has also become established outside parts of its original range through human-mediated introductions.
NATURAL HABITAT
White-Spotted Wall Geckos occupy structurally complex habitats including:
- Rocky outcrops
- Cliffs
- Rock faces
- Trees
- Dry woodland
- Buildings
- Walls
- Ruins
- Human settlements
Their ability to exploit artificial structures has contributed to their success in modified environments.
VERTICAL LIFESTYLE
This species is an accomplished:
climber.
Animals spend substantial periods on:
- Walls
- Rock faces
- Tree trunks
- Crevices
- Elevated surfaces
Captive enclosures should therefore provide extensive:
usable vertical structure.
FEET AND CLIMBING
White-Spotted Wall Geckos possess adhesive toe structures allowing them to climb many surfaces.
However, an enclosure consisting only of smooth glass provides very little useful habitat.
Provide:
- Cork
- Rock-effect backgrounds
- Rough branches
- Textured walls
- Crevices
ADULT SIZE
Adults commonly reach approximately:
6–8 in total length.
Large individuals may approach approximately:
8–9 in.
This makes T. annularis a comparatively substantial wall gecko.
BODY STRUCTURE
The species has a:
- Broad head
- Robust body
- Strong limbs
- Thick tail
- Heavily textured skin
Prominent dorsal tubercles contribute to its characteristic:
rough, armour-like appearance.
COLOURATION
Colouration commonly includes combinations of:
- Grey
- Brown
- Cream
- Beige
with contrasting pale or white markings.
The cryptic patterning provides excellent camouflage against:
- Stone
- Bark
- Walls
ACTIVITY
White-Spotted Wall Geckos are primarily:
nocturnal and crepuscular.
Animals may begin emerging around dusk and remain active through portions of the night.
DAYTIME BEHAVIOUR
During daylight they commonly shelter in:
- Crevices
- Behind bark
- Rock gaps
- Other narrow retreats
However, captive animals may also:
- Partially expose themselves
- Cryptically bask
- Move between retreats
during daylight.
This is one reason a natural daytime:
heat and UV gradient
remains valuable.
TEMPERAMENT
These geckos are generally:
- Fast
- Alert
- Defensive when restrained
- Better suited to observation than frequent handling
DEFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
A frightened animal may:
- Flee rapidly
- Bite
- Vocalise
- Struggle
- Attempt to escape
Their relatively large head means that a defensive bite can be surprisingly strong for a gecko.
HANDLING
Routine handling is unnecessary.
When movement is required, encourage the animal into:
a secure container
rather than repeatedly chasing and grabbing it.
TAIL SAFETY
Never restrain the gecko by:
its tail.
Tail loss can occur in geckos as a defensive response.
Although regeneration may occur, the replacement tail is not identical to the original.
ENCLOSURE PHILOSOPHY
The enclosure should recreate a:
warm, rocky vertical environment with numerous secure crevices.
Usable surfaces matter more than an empty tall enclosure.
MINIMUM ADULT ENCLOSURE
For one adult, approximately:
2 ft long × 1½ ft deep × 2 ft high
should be considered a practical minimum.
PREFERRED ENCLOSURE
Approximately:
3 × 2 × 3 ft
or larger provides substantially greater opportunities for:
- Climbing
- Thermoregulation
- Multiple hides
- Foraging
- Environmental enrichment
HEIGHT
Height is particularly useful for this species, provided it contains:
usable climbing structure.
BACKGROUND
A textured background can dramatically increase usable enclosure area.
Suitable materials include:
- Cork
- Secure rock-effect backgrounds
- Rough naturalistic panels
Ensure there are no hidden gaps in which the animal could become trapped.
BRANCHES
Provide sturdy branches at:
- Horizontal
- Diagonal
- Near-vertical
angles.
CORK
Cork bark is particularly useful because it creates:
- Climbing surfaces
- Narrow retreats
- Visual barriers
- Elevated resting positions
CREVICES
Provide numerous:
tight-fitting crevices.
Wall geckos often feel more secure when their body can contact surfaces around them.
Suitable retreats include:
- Cork tubes
- Stacked cork
- Secure rock crevices
- Narrow artificial hides
SECURITY
These geckos are:
excellent escape artists.
Check carefully around:
- Door gaps
- Cable ports
- Ventilation
- Sliding tracks
- Background edges
VENTILATION
Good ventilation is essential.
Avoid maintaining the enclosure in:
warm, stagnant and permanently wet conditions.
SUBSTRATE
Suitable substrates include:
- Soil/sand mixtures
- Arid or semi-arid naturalistic substrate
- Soil/clay mixtures
The substrate should be:
- Safe
- Easy to spot clean
- Capable of retaining limited moisture below the surface
SUBSTRATE DEPTH
Approximately:
2–4 in
is adequate for general adult husbandry.
Females intended for breeding should have access to:
deeper suitable laying substrate.
TEMPERATURE
Provide a strong daytime thermal gradient.
BASKING SURFACE
An exposed elevated basking surface can reach approximately:
35–40°C (95–104°F).
The animal must be able to retreat immediately into cooler:
- Crevices
- Shade
- Lower enclosure areas
WARM DAYTIME AREA
Maintain the warm region approximately:
27–30°C (81–86°F).
COOL AREA
Provide cooler areas around:
22–25°C (72–77°F).
NIGHT TEMPERATURE
Temperatures can generally fall toward approximately:
18–23°C (64–73°F)
at night.
NIGHT HEATING
Additional nighttime heating is usually unnecessary where room temperatures remain safely within range.
If heating is required, use:
thermostatically controlled non-light-emitting heat.
NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURE DROP
A reduction in temperature after lights-out helps provide a:
natural day/night cycle.
Do not maintain the enclosure at basking temperatures continuously.
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
Use:
- Digital probe thermometers
- Infrared thermometer
Measure:
- Basking surface
- Warm ambient
- Cool ambient
- Night minimum
UVB
Although predominantly nocturnal, White-Spotted Wall Geckos should not automatically be treated as reptiles that receive:
no ultraviolet exposure.
Animals can encounter sunlight while:
- Partially exposed in crevices
- Emerging before sunset
- Moving between shelters
- Cryptically basking
Modern captive husbandry should provide controlled low-to-moderate UVB exposure.
SUGGESTED UVI
Provide an exposed zone of approximately:
UVI 1–2
with extensive access to:
- Lower UVI
- Complete shade
- UV-free retreats
WHAT THIS MEANS IN PRACTICE
A suitable:
linear T5 UVB lamp
can be positioned over part of the enclosure.
The goal is not to expose every resting place to UVB.
Instead, create:
choice.
SHADE
Secure retreats should allow the gecko to reduce its exposure to:
effectively zero UVI.
This is particularly important for a species that naturally spends much of the day concealed.
UVB PERCENTAGE
Do not choose a lamp based solely on the percentage printed on its packaging.
Actual UVI depends upon:
- Lamp model
- Reflector
- Distance
- Mesh
- Lamp age
MESH
Mesh can substantially reduce delivered UVB.
Account for this when determining:
lamp distance.
UV METER
A UV meter provides the most reliable way of determining:
actual exposure at the animal’s position.
VISIBLE-SPECTRUM LIGHTING
Provide a clearly defined:
bright daytime environment.
Daylight-spectrum LED lighting can be used alongside heat and UVB.
WHY LIGHT MATTERS TO A NOCTURNAL GECKO
A nocturnal animal still experiences:
daylight.
Strong daytime illumination helps establish:
- Circadian rhythm
- Day/night behaviour
- Naturalistic environmental cues
PHOTOPERIOD
Approximately:
12 hours light / 12 hours dark
is a suitable baseline.
Seasonal adjustment can also be provided.
NIGHT LIGHTING
Provide:
darkness at night.
Do not leave:
- Red lamps
- Blue lamps
- Purple lamps
illuminated throughout the night.
VIEWING AT NIGHT
If nighttime observation is desired, brief low-level illumination can be used for observation.
The enclosure should not remain visibly illuminated:
all night.
HUMIDITY
White-Spotted Wall Geckos are associated with relatively dry environments but should not be maintained in:
uniformly desiccated conditions.
AMBIENT HUMIDITY
A general range around:
40–60%
with natural fluctuations is appropriate for many captive environments.
HUMID RETREATS
Provide at least one:
more humid crevice or hide.
This is especially important during shedding.
MISTING
Light misting can be provided:
periodically
to create temporary moisture and drinking droplets.
Allow much of the enclosure to dry afterwards.
PERMANENT WETNESS
Do not keep all surfaces:
continuously wet.
Chronic dampness combined with poor airflow can contribute to:
- Skin problems
- Mould
- Poor environmental hygiene
WATER
Provide fresh drinking water:
at all times.
WATER BOWL
Use a:
- Shallow
- Stable
- Easily cleaned
water dish.
DRINKING DROPLETS
Animals may also lick droplets from:
- Rock
- Cork
- Glass
- Leaves
after light misting.
This does not replace permanent drinking water.
DIET
White-Spotted Wall Geckos are primarily:
insectivorous predators.
A varied live-invertebrate diet should form the basis of captive feeding.
SUITABLE INVERTEBRATES
Suitable foods include:
- Crickets
- Roaches
- Locusts
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
- Appropriately sized beetle larvae
- Other safe cultured invertebrates
PREY SIZE
Use prey appropriately sized for the individual.
Avoid excessively large insects capable of:
injuring the gecko.
DIETARY VARIETY
Do not rely entirely upon:
one feeder insect.
A varied diet improves:
- Nutritional diversity
- Feeding enrichment
- Natural hunting behaviour
HIGH-FAT FEEDERS
Foods such as:
- Waxworms
- Other particularly fatty larvae
should be used:
sparingly.
WILD INSECTS
Do not use wild insects collected from areas potentially exposed to:
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Road contamination
Never feed unidentified invertebrates.
FEEDING JUVENILES
Growing juveniles can be offered appropriately sized insects:
daily or almost daily.
FEEDING ADULTS
Healthy adults can generally be fed approximately:
3–4 times per week
with frequency adjusted according to:
- Portion size
- Body condition
- Activity
- Reproductive status
FEEDING TIME
Food can be introduced:
late afternoon or around dusk
to coincide with increasing natural activity.
GUT LOADING
Feeder insects should be:
properly gut loaded.
CALCIUM
Dust suitable feeder insects regularly with:
plain calcium.
MULTIVITAMIN
Use an appropriate reptile multivitamin:
periodically.
Avoid excessive supplementation.
VITAMIN D3
Where effective UVB is provided, additional vitamin D3 generally needs to be used:
conservatively.
Follow the directions for the particular supplement being used.
ENRICHMENT
Provide opportunities for:
- Climbing
- Hunting
- Exploring
- Choosing between crevices
- Moving vertically
- Selecting different temperatures
FEEDING ENRICHMENT
Allow suitable insects to move through safe enclosure areas so the gecko can:
actively hunt.
Remove problematic uneaten insects when necessary.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Wall geckos can be:
territorial.
Individual housing is the safest default.
MALES
Do not routinely house:
adult males together.
Aggression can cause:
- Chronic stress
- Bite wounds
- Resource exclusion
PAIRS
Experienced keepers may maintain compatible male/female pairs in sufficiently large and complex accommodation.
This requires careful monitoring.
FEMALE PRESSURE
A female should not be forced to remain continually exposed to:
persistent male courtship.
Provide multiple visual barriers and retreats.
Separate animals where necessary.
SOCIAL STRESS
Warning signs include:
- Persistent hiding
- Weight loss
- Reduced feeding
- Bite injuries
- Failure to use preferred basking sites
- One animal monopolising hides
BREEDING
White-Spotted Wall Geckos are:
oviparous — egg-laying.
COURTSHIP
Breeding behaviour can involve:
- Following
- Territorial displays
- Physical contact
- Male pursuit
Monitor females for excessive pressure.
FEMALE CONDITION
Egg production increases demand for:
- Calcium
- Energy
- Hydration
Only healthy, mature females should be bred.
NESTING
Provide suitable laying locations including:
- Loose substrate
- Protected crevices
- Slightly moist nesting areas
NESTING SUBSTRATE
A breeding female should have access to approximately:
4–6 in or more
of suitable diggable substrate in at least part of the enclosure.
EGGS
Like many geckos, females typically produce:
small clutches.
More than one clutch may potentially be produced during a reproductive period.
EGG HANDLING
If eggs are removed for artificial incubation:
avoid unnecessary rotation.
INCUBATION
Eggs require:
- Stable temperature
- Appropriate humidity
- Adequate gas exchange
Incubation duration varies according to temperature and other conditions.
Avoid chasing unnecessarily high incubation temperatures merely to:
accelerate development.
HATCHLINGS
Hatchlings require:
- Escape-proof accommodation
- Numerous small hides
- Climbing surfaces
- Correct temperature gradients
- Appropriate UVB
- Access to humidity
- Tiny live prey
ESCAPE RISK
Hatchlings can pass through:
extremely small gaps.
Carefully inspect:
- Ventilation holes
- Cable ports
- Door gaps
HATCHLING FEEDING
Suitable prey includes:
- Pinhead crickets
- Tiny roach nymphs
- Small black soldier fly larvae
- Other appropriately sized cultured insects
Growing juveniles should be fed:
frequently.
QUARANTINE
New animals should undergo:
strict quarantine.
Approximately:
60–90 days
is a sensible minimum.
Longer quarantine may be appropriate for animals of uncertain origin.
WILD-ORIGIN ANIMALS
Some Tarentola entering the reptile trade may be:
wild-caught or of uncertain origin.
Such animals may carry:
- Internal parasites
- External parasites
- Dehydration
- Injuries
- Transport stress
CAPTIVE-BRED ANIMALS
Captive-bred animals should be strongly preferred.
Advantages include:
- Known history
- Better traceability
- Reduced parasite risk
- Reduced collection pressure
- Generally easier acclimation
FAECAL TESTING
Faecal parasite testing is strongly advisable for animals of:
wild or uncertain origin.
Treatment should be based on veterinary assessment rather than automatic medication.
COMMON HEALTH CONCERNS
Potential problems include:
- Metabolic bone disease
- Dehydration
- Retained shed
- Internal parasites
- External parasites
- Respiratory disease
- Burns
- Trauma
- Tail injury
- Reproductive problems
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE
Possible signs include:
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Abnormal gait
- Soft jaw
- Limb deformity
- Fractures
MBD PREVENTION
Provide:
- Appropriate UVB
- Correct calcium supplementation
- Correct temperatures
- Varied nutrition
- Appropriate vitamin supplementation
DEHYDRATION
Possible signs include:
- Sunken eyes
- Reduced activity
- Poor shedding
- Abnormal urates
- Weight loss
Review:
- Drinking water
- Humid retreats
- Misting
- Temperature
RETAINED SHED
Pay particular attention to:
- Toes
- Feet
- Tail
Persistent retained shed can impair circulation.
TOE HEALTH
Healthy toes are particularly important for:
a specialised climbing gecko.
Inspect them regularly.
BURNS
Heat lamps must be positioned so the gecko cannot climb onto:
dangerously hot fittings or bulbs.
Use guards where required.
RESPIRATORY DISEASE
Potential contributing factors include:
- Inappropriate temperatures
- Chronic stress
- Poor ventilation
- Persistently wet conditions
Abnormal breathing requires veterinary assessment.
CLEANING
Remove:
- Faeces
- Uneaten prey
- Shed skin
- Contaminated substrate
promptly.
WATER HYGIENE
Wash and refill the water bowl:
regularly and whenever contaminated.
ENCLOSURE HYGIENE
Clean climbing surfaces when soiled while retaining enough environmental familiarity to avoid unnecessary disturbance.
LEGAL AND SOURCING CONSIDERATIONS
Before acquiring an animal, establish:
- Correct scientific identification
- Source
- Captive-bred or wild-origin status
- Acquisition history
Do not assume that an animal labelled only “Crocodile Gecko” is necessarily:
Tarentola annularis**.**
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT
Wildlife, animal-health and commercial transport rules can apply even where a species is not subject to the most restrictive international wildlife controls.
Requirements may differ according to:
- Country of origin
- Destination
- Captive-bred or wild origin
- Commercial or private movement
IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND GREAT BRITAIN
Requirements concerning:
- Acquisition
- Import
- Export
- Commercial movement
- Sale
- Transport
can differ between:
- Republic of Ireland
- Northern Ireland
- Great Britain
- European Union
Check current requirements before international movement.
NEVER RELEASE CAPTIVE ANIMALS
Never release a captive White-Spotted Wall Gecko into:
the wild.
This is particularly important for adaptable species capable of becoming established outside their natural range.
COMMON HUSBANDRY MISTAKES
Common mistakes include:
- Confusing different species sold as “Crocodile Geckos”
- Using an enclosure that is too small
- Providing height without usable climbing structure
- Providing smooth bare walls
- Providing too few crevices
- Failing to secure escape routes
- Maintaining the enclosure uniformly hot
- Providing no nighttime temperature reduction
- Providing no UVB because the species is nocturnal
- Exposing the entire enclosure to strong UVB without shade
- Failing to account for mesh and lamp distance
- Keeping the enclosure dim during daylight
- Maintaining constantly wet conditions
- Providing no humid retreat
- Feeding only one insect species
- Poor feeder gut loading
- Incorrect supplementation
- Excessive high-fat feeders
- Excessive handling
- Restraining the animal by its tail
- Housing incompatible adults together
- Failing to provide a suitable laying site
- Failing to quarantine new animals
- Purchasing poorly documented wild-origin animals where captive-bred stock is available
RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP
Before obtaining a White-Spotted Wall Gecko, ensure you can provide:
- At least approximately 2 × 1½ × 2 ft for one adult
- Preferably approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft or larger
- Extensive textured vertical climbing surfaces
- Numerous secure crevices
- Stable branches and cork
- A basking surface around 35–40°C (95–104°F)
- Warm daytime temperatures around 27–30°C (81–86°F)
- Cooler areas around 22–25°C (72–77°F)
- A nighttime reduction toward approximately 18–23°C (64–73°F)
- Controlled UVB exposure
- Approximately UVI 1–2 in the exposed zone
- Extensive shade and UV-free retreats
- Bright daytime visible-spectrum lighting
- Good ventilation
- Moderate humidity with more humid retreats
- Permanent fresh drinking water
- A varied live-invertebrate diet
- Correct gut loading and supplementation
- Secure escape-proof construction
- Quarantine facilities
- Access to a suitably experienced reptile veterinarian
- The ability to care for the animal for potentially 10–15+ years
HUSBANDRY SUMMARY
Adult size: Commonly approximately 6–8 in; large individuals may approach approximately 8–9 in
Lifespan: Approximately 10–15+ years
Adult enclosure: Minimum approximately 2 × 1½ × 2 ft; approximately 3 × 2 × 3 ft or larger preferred
Lifestyle: Primarily vertical, rock and wall dwelling
Substrate: Approximately 2–4 in; deeper laying areas for breeding females
Basking surface: Approximately 35–40°C (95–104°F)
Warm daytime area: Approximately 27–30°C (81–86°F)
Cool area: Approximately 22–25°C (72–77°F)
Night: Approximately 18–23°C (64–73°F)
UVB: Controlled linear UVB provision recommended
Suggested exposed UVI: Approximately 1–2 with extensive shade and UV-free retreats
Humidity: Generally approximately 40–60% with more humid retreats
Water: Fresh water continuously available
Diet: Varied live invertebrates
Housing: Individual housing safest
Handling: Limited
Experience level: Beginner-intermediate to intermediate
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: September 2026