Correlophus ciliatus – Care sheet
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Diplodactylinae
Genus: Correlophus
Species: ciliatus
Distribution:
It is a semi-arboreal gecko endemic to the primary forest of New Caledonia. lives in the south of the island of Grand Terre, on the island of Kotomo and in the isle of Pines.
The temperature in these areas in the summer season fluctuates between 20 ° C and 25 ° C almost all year round,
With a maximum temperature of 30 ° C and minimum temperatures that rarely drop below 20 ° C. In the winter season, the temperature rarely drops below 20 ° C. The relative humidity of this location varies between 60% and 70%.
Features:
Adult specimens generally measure 20-25cm in length including tail, and weigh between 30 and 50g. The head is triangular in shape with a flattened shape. on it we find large eyes of variable color, without lids, with cilia that would be modified epithelial cells.
the tail is semi prehensile, we find on the tip the same adhesive lamellae that we can see on the fingertips.
in this gecko once it loses its tail, it is not regenerated. as it happens in other geckos. like Tarentola Mauritania.
once sexual maturity is reached, sexual dimorphism is very pronounced.
the males have a sac containing the hemipenes at the base of the tail.
the females are generally more stocky and fat, without the sac at the base of the tail.
The color of the gecko changes according to the mood, the temperature, the solar radiation as well as the time of day, being a nocturnal gecko, during the day you will see it sleeping, and it will lighten.
Terrarium:
Being an arboreal gecko it needs a vertically developed terrarium.
minimum size for an adult gecko: 40x40x60
in glass with at least two parts with a grate to promote air circulation
as substrate: pure acid peat, with an underlying layer of expanded clay.
Branches, barks, leaves and moss.
Don’t forget to offer them a shelter to hide when they sleep. He needs a place to feel safe, and to let him rest without feeling vulnerable.
Temperature:
24-30 ° C 60-70% humidity
when the temperature tends to drop below 20 ° C and the days will get shorter, the gecko will go into a kind of lethargy called “mist” in which its metabolism tends to slow down, and consequently it will eat less , but without losing weight.
it is a natural phenomenon, but the gecko must always be monitored to avoid unpleasant health problems.
The mist is not essential, and the heating of the house, or a simple mat connected to a thermostat will prevent the gecko from going into a mist.
being a nocturnal reptile it does not need a light spot for heat, nor UVB / UVA lamps for the synthesis of calcium.
Diet:
Insects + fruit homogenized
Repashy superfoods or Pangea
Ca + D3
this supplement should be used during the breeding of Ciliatus to prevent diseases such as metabolic bone disease (MOM) in which the body in the absence of calcium from the diet, or due to an unfavorable environmental condition, takes it from the bones.
visible disease with the first symptom, “Floppy tail” in which the tail is not turgid and prehensile.