Found a TINY Gecko

[NennaMeerkat]

So in Texas around this time of year our house often has many of these little guys roaming around outside. I have never been able to snag one without it either losing its tail or flat out escaping. However tonight I did manage to get one and I am thinking about keeping it. But because it is so so so small (pics below will show) I have NO idea on what to feed it. Even a mealworm or pin head crickets could be considered to big!

What do you people think should I keep it? And what kind of Gecko is it?

Beside it is a crayon!!


Close up picture. I love his little spots.

[stephanbakir]

flies are always good, I'd release it tho.

[TeaNinja]

cute little thing. maybe see if it wants to eat for you and if it seems like its stressing or refusing food just let it go.

[NennaMeerkat]

Originally Posted by TeaNinja

cute little thing. maybe see if it wants to eat for you and if it seems like its stressing or refusing food just let it go.

Yeah thinking of buying a few pinheads tomorrow when I go get bigger crickets for the leopards. Cover up the critter carrier it is in with one or two of the pinheads in there with it then check in a few hours to see if it eats anything. Keep a few pinheads out and try again later if it doesn't eat.

If it doesn't eat or seems to stress I will certainly let him go. Even though he is so so cute.

[Deva]

I think it is a House Gecko. We have them here too, although the last two cold winters seem to have cut the population. I used to see one at night whenever I would leave the porch light on. It was getting the insects around the light. The small crickets would be something good to try for food.

[whoaxmary]

It looks like a little gecko I saw in a pet store the other day - petri gecko or something like that - not saying that's what it is because I don't know where they're native to - just what it made me think of. But I'd deffinetly release it.

[KD35WIN.AS.ONE]

If it takes food from you keep it, its just prey for something else in the wild... Its not like its going to live a long happy life in the wild its probably going to be a meal.

[whoaxmary]

My worry about w/c herps would be parasites and who knows what else. Sure you can spray it down with nix but what about internal parasites?
Maybe if you keep it just be careful with your collection.

[NennaMeerkat]

Originally Posted by whoaxmary

My worry about w/c herps would be parasites and who knows what else. Sure you can spray it down with nix but what about internal parasites?
Maybe if you keep it just be careful with your collection.

Well he isn't handable in the slightest. Would be way to worried that he would drop his little tail or just keel over from stress. If I did keep him it would be only for the looks and to give him a life without worry of predator as well as without worry of the winter. But it wouldn't be so I could hold him or anything like that.

If I did keep him I would get a little 5 gallon reptile aquarium, cut some carpet to fit, and add in a hide or two, as well as a small UTH for winter. Then would probably keep it away from everything else in general.

Deva: I think it is a House Gecko. We have them here too, although the last two cold winters seem to have cut the population. I used to see one at night whenever I would leave the porch light on. It was getting the insects around the light. The small crickets would be something good to try for food.

I haven't gotten the crickets yet but I will be tomorrow. Since you have seen the same thing in Florida I wonder if they are native to Southern US or if it is some invasive species. We had a week of snow here in Texas last year, and you are right...there are less of them this year because of it. This is only the 4th one I have seen.

[Deva]

House geckos are native to southeast Asia and Africa but have established themselves here in Florida and probably other warm southern states. Here in Florida we have many non-native species that have established themselves. In the last five years I have seen the Cuban Knight Anole quite frequently. That is quite a beautiful lizard. Also large iguanas, but many were also killed off over the last two cold winters.

The house gecko sure can climb up walls well.