Cork-bark leaf-tail gecko

How to Take Care of The Cork-Bark Leaf-Tail Gecko (Uroplatus Pietchmanni)

Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko

The Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko has a smoothed body, a broad head, and bump scales.

A bump scale varying in size dispels the dorsal portion of the body, arms, and tails.

The tail’s border undulates effectively so that its surface resembles a dried oak leaf.

These characteristics enable geckos to remain almost invisible on bark parts or trunks of big old trees.

A white line goes from the top of the snout to the eyes. Partially white are irises.

Hemipenal bulge appearance at the earliest age of 4-6 months can make it easy for men to sex.

The Cork-bark Leaf-tailed Gecko lives in the islands of Madagascar.

They are friendly and entertaining Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko can blend into nature. You can find them in the forest, but almost unlikely.

Would you like to be a parent and help the Cork-bark Leaf-tailed Gecko to develop its population?

If yes, you must take good care of your little creatures like any conscientious parent. And take the necessary steps in case something goes wrong.

 Preface

The Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko species or leaf-tailed Madagascar geckos are the squamous, subordinate of the lizards and the gecko family.

The name scientifically derived from Uroplatus is the Cork-Bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko.

According to the hollow-tailed gecko’s center, there are currently 17 species recognized.

The unmistakable unique appearance, the fantastic ability to camouflage yourself easily as a means of survival, and its rare nature, make it a highly coveted animal for collectors.

Environment

We can find the cork bark leaf-tailed places like Ferenana, Ambatovy, and Analamay of Madagascar. Also, the cork bark leaf-tailed gecko species are present at an altitude of 1000 meters. These extraordinary geckos live in the woods mostly.

You will see them sitting on tree trunks most of the nighttime, being only nocturnal, and becoming true hunters as the night falls. They survive at low population densities in the tree canopy.

1. About 6-inch as an adult, Pietschmanni reaches.
2. Females are much bigger than males.
3. Dependent on many variables, color varies widely.
4. The patches of dark to light greenish, black, and white during daytime are mainly brown. But at night, you should add a uniform gray ash color.
5. If the cold stressed Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko or graved for whatever reason, they turn black occasionally.

Terrarium

 There are some items you need to find for the Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko to keep your animal safe and comfortable:

• At least 18x18x24 inches is essential for an adult gecko. Use a medium bark as a substratum or coconut fiber.
• You need to have a 12x12x12 terrarium for a baby gecko. Use bark or coco fiber of a small scale.
• As these are arboreal organisms, the terrarium should be vertically oriented.

Compared to the glass one, a big screen terrarium would perform best, as the geckos will hold onto the screen.

In addition, adequate ventilation ensures that the mold does not expand in turn.

Terrarium Decoration

There is something else for your Leaf-Tailed Gecko. It should usually contain:

• Vertical and horizontal divisions of modest scale, lianas.
• Cork bark round to climb.
• Holes and hiding spots.
• Vivid Plants.

Instead of pothos and ficus, choose broad-leaf and robust plant with thick stems.

Not only does this sort of natural extension help to make habitat life-enjoyable, but it also makes a woman lay her eggs.

Cork bark plates and bracelets provide geckos with a way to explore the entire cage.

Furthermore, instead of using flat, the round cork bark is easier to help you feel better and more at home.

Temperature and Lighting

Your Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Gecko requires:

• During the day, the range between 68 °F and 75 °F (20°C and 24°C).
• During the night is falling to 60°F to70°F (16°C and 21°C).

Also;

• Keep in mind that, depending on the season, the temperature changes several degrees.
• Please avoid using a heat mat or pads. It Will causes stress or many deaths.
• The atmospheric terrarium temperature MUST NOT reach the high grading level of 80F.
• The natural air temperature is around 75F-76F during the warmest days of the year.

Keep in mind that: 

• You should not use a heating source during the breeding season. UVB is essential for healthy breeding.
• As mentioned before, your Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Geck cannot withstand warm temperatures and sometimes perish for longer periods when exposed to temperatures above 80°F (27°C).
• UVB Lamp Zoo Med or Exo Terra is used for breeding 12 hours year around.

To avoid your gecko from metabolic bone disease (MBD). Use UV light and plants to make your gecko healthy, flourish, and colorful. Besides, make sure to light in the gecko’s house during the night.

Moistening and Humidity

Your Leaf-Tailed Gecko needs moistening and humidity to survive and breed.

I have seen with my own eyes drinking from a water bowl.

Every night, I always mist the cage for a few seconds before turning off the light.

Spray the cage every time. This will help the geckos drink water from their eyes or the glass cage. Help the gecko hydrated.

I adjust the vent to my reptile room. Make sure it does not get too hot during the winter season. I try to target my room in the temp 67f to 70f. It’s always a good idea to have a digital temp to monitor the temp in the room. It is crucial not to have the a/c hit directly at them.

Initial period

Whenever you moved your gecko to a new enclosure; From the container (hopefully it had holes for ventilation) to an actual larger cage such as an Exo terra or Zoo Med. It will take a few days to grow into his or her new cage. If you see her or him not eating, give it some time.

These species and most specimens have shown their acclimatization to changes in the environment.

If you receive your gecko first, leave it around a week in a quiet, cool place.

Try as least as possible to interrupt it. These geckos do not like to be handle. If you did stress their tail will fall off. That is the last thing you want to happen.

If you ever see red mites. Go to your local or online store to purchase a removal mite. Don’t spray it on the gecko. Please spray it on the Q-tip and gently rub it where you see a red mite. Without stressing out your gecko.

If you ever run into a sick gecko or have any question about his or her health. please seek veterinarian help that is a specialist in reptiles.

Feeding

You can feed your cork-bark leaf-tailed geckos (Adults and Babies):

Adult:

• Crickets. For adults. The insects shall not be smaller than 3/4 inches in height.
• Food is sent to each gecko 1-2 days a week by 1-2 insects.
• If a certain animal is prone to obesity, it should be limited.

Babies:

• Crickets/Insects. When for babies. Insects do not exceed ¼ in size.
• Give your cork-bark leaf-tailed three insects for each gecko 2 to 3 days a week.
• Dust your crickets or roaches every other day with a supplement such as Repashy Calcium Plus

Sexing

Sexing a male and female is very easy. The male will show a bulge. While the female will have none.

Breeding

Gecko reaches sexual maturity around 18 months. The breeding season begins in winter (since I live in Texas, it starts around October thru February).

During the breeding season, you will see the male waving its tail to attract the female. Once they breed. For the next 30 to 40 days, one female is gravely and may remain gravely.

You can see her digging a hole. For the next few days. This will tell you that she is looking for a spot to lay her eyes on. But not all the time. During the breeding season, I will remove the cork bark from the cage temporarily. In the past, I have them laid eggs inside the hollow cork and never realize it until it was too late.

Once she has laid her eyes. If you catch her at the right time. You will see her using her rear legs to form the eggs around as they begin to lay eggs.

However, the eggs should not touch wet vermiculite themselves. I prefer to use a bottle top and add dry vermiculite. So, the egg is in a position where it will not tip over out of position. It is always important to mark a dot on top of the egg in case it does move. If so, you can always position it back in place.

It takes 3 1⁄2 to 4 months to incubate. During daytime and at 70-72F at night in moistened vermiculite, the eggs should incubate at around 73-75 degrees.

Eggs typically hatch after 90 – 120 days if incubated at a temperature of 78°C. The greater the heat, the faster the eggs will spring up.

Cork-bark Leaf-Tailed Newborn

The newborn geckos, including the tail, are about 2 inches (5-6 cm) in height.

I keep mine in a small shoe box container. With a small cork bark for them to climb on. Rather than use bark as substrate. I use paper towels instead because it is easy to clean. I recommend replacing it every day.

I suggest that you keep each baby in separate cages. This way you can watch which ones eat and which ones you don’t.

You should keep feeding them Dubia roaches or crickets as staple health.

Every month, healthy babies grow rapidly by 1cm. You have to adjust the terrarium scale correctly in due course.

Conclusion

It ashamed that these geckos are underrated in the reptile community. If you ever purchase one, you will not be disappointed.

Cork-bark leaf-tailed gecko is one of my favorite geckos I have worked with. I even love them so much, and I have designed them as my logo brand.

I hope this care sheet helps you.