Scientific Name: Goniurosaurus hainanensis
Diet: Insectivore
Adult Size: Approximately 6.5 inches
Minimum recommended enclosure size: 10 gallon aquarium or similar dimensions
Recommended Heat Source: Under tank heater on a thermostat
Chinese cave geckos are a small cool temperature loving gecko originating from, you guessed it, China. The Chinese cave gecko is a fairly low maintenance animal as long as some simple guidelines are followed.
Chinese cave geckos, like many other terrestrial gecko species, are nocturnal. There is no need for any specialized lighting. They also require a cool, moist environment.
A great setup for a single Chinese cave gecko would be an aquarium or terrarium that has similar dimensions to a 10 gallon aquarium. A substrate of coconut fiber mixed with sphagnum moss works very well to maintain the humidity. An under tank heater on one side with a thermostat set to 80 degrees Fahrenheit will provide an adequate warm side for your Chinese cave gecko. Ensure that the temperature in your enclosure doesn’t exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Misting your gecko’s enclosure every day or at least every other day will maintain the humidity in your enclosure. Your goal is for the substrate to be moist but not soaking wet. With hatchling cave geckos it is very important to maintain the humidity of their enclosure as they can dehydrate very easily.
A Chinese cave gecko’s diet consists of various insects such as dubias, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and crickets. From my experience, they typically prefer prey that is fairly active. Like other reptile species, it is important to dust their insects with a calcium and D3 supplement. A small dish of clean water should be provided at all times.
Chinese cave geckos do well kept in groups consisting of one male and 2 or more females. Personally, I keep two females and one male in a 36” x 18: exo terra. When keeping them in groups provide at least one hide per gecko. I recommend having two feeding dishes to mitigate any possible food aggression.