Homopholis fasciata

Homopholis fasciata, a nocturnal vertebrate known as the banded velvet gecko or striped velvet gecko, is a small gecko that lives in East Africa.[1][2]

Homopholis fasciata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Homopholis
Species:
H. fasciata
Binomial name
Homopholis fasciata
Boulenger, 1890
Synonyms
  • Platypholis fasciata
  • Homopholis erlangeri

Description

Homopholis Fasciata's are small gecko's with soft, velvet-like skin. They have short, rounded heads and long, thin non-tapering tails. Their body shape is stout with a bunt and toes that have both adhesive pads and claws. Their skin ranges fom green, greys and browns with a chevron-like pattern down the back. They grow to 3½" - 4½" and are known to bite.[3]

Homopholis Fasciatas are from Tropical East Africa. They inhabit wet or dry savannas containing large trees. They can be found hiding under the bark and in the crevasses of these trees. Mostly nocturnal but may also be found active during the day.[4]

In captivity

In captivity, they require many hiding spots and 80–90 °F heating by means of a heat mat.

Temperature

75° to 82 °F daytime with a 5° to 10 °F drop at night. A daytime hot spot is beneficial; using a 10 or 20 watt halogen light works well.

Humidity

Moderate to high, 60 to 80%, with a gradient between one side of the enclosure and the other. This can be accomplished well by keeping the side where the water dish is located a bit cooler and spraying that area down daily.

Lighting

Use plant grow lights on a timer to simulate the tropics, 12 hours on, 12 hours off. Seasonal day length fluctuations are not needed but could help to stimulate breeding. A dim night light is required for viewing nocturnal activities.

Feeding

Small crickets are the main staple diet along with small mealworms and various other insects when available. Dusting food items with a supplement (twice a week for adults and more often for young geckos) will help to keep them healthy. Excess calcium will puff out their neck pouches. A bowl of clean water must be available at all times but some will only drink water droplets. Be sure to mist the enclosure daily.

Habitat

A 10-gallon will work for a pair but a taller tank would be better. Set it up as forest habitat with climbing branches, sturdy plants, hiding places and a warm area or basking spot.

Sexing

Males have hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail. Males also have a pair of pre-anal pores/scales just above the cloacal opening that the females lack.

Breeding

Egg laying may occur during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. 4 or 5 clutches of 2 eggs each may be laid during the breeding period. The hard-shelled eggs are laid under loose bark, in crevasses or buried in a slightly moist spot. They should be removed for incubation at around 82 °F."

References
  1. Homopholis fasciata at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 31 December 2013.
  2. Glen Wever, Ernest (1974). "The Lizard Ear". Journal of Morphology. 143 (2). doi:10.1002/jmor.1051430202.
  3. Kelley, David. "Homopholis fasciata". Supreme Gecko.
  4. Uetz, Peter; Hallermann, Jakob. "Homopholis fasciata (BOULENGER, 1890)". The Reptile Database.


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