G vittatus are found in Indonesia, New Guinea, Palau, and the Solomon Islands. These geckos are commonly called "lined geckos" or "skunk geckos", for obvious reasons. These geckos are generally easy to find in the pet trade, even though they are more rarely kept than other species like crested geckos or leopard geckos. Lined geckos tend to be more secretive and will vocally express their displeasure at being disturbed. 

 

Bolt is one of the sassiest geckos that ExRe houses. He prefers not to be seen. When he is spotted, he is usually running as fast as possible and making the biggest noise he can. Bolt came to us from LAC Herps, and has been named for his speedy nature.

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Interested in keeping a lined gecko? Below are general parameters for making your gecko comfortable. For more information, Extant Relatives recommends Reptifile's detailed care sheets.

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Life Span: 20 years

Cage Size: Minimum 20 gallon (High rather than wide)

Animal Size: 9-10"

Day/Night Hours: 12/12 

Active times: Most active at night

Day temps: 75 F

Hot Spot: 90 F

Night temps: 75 F

Daytime humidity: 70%

Nighttime humidity: 80%

UVB: Low

Substrate: Organic topsoil or coconut fiber (or mix)

Diet: Meal Replacement Powders with insects for enrichment

Decor: Arboreal - branches, cork tubes, plants.

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Our setup: ExRe houses lined geckos individually in 20 gal/gecko, vertically-oriented enclosures. These arboreal reptiles spend most of their time exploring cork bark tubes and branches or hiding among potted Pothos vines, spider plants, and other strategically-placed plants. Their enclosure floor consists of cocofiber substrate, a soaking/drinking bowl, and an isopod clean-up crew. Their enclsoures are heavily misted 2-4 times per week, depending on the season, to maintain a general humidity of around 70%. Temperatures range from 70F at the bottom of the enclosure to 90F at the top. They use the full range of their enclosures to regulate their temperature and hydration. A single puck light provides enough light for their plants and their day/night cycle. UVB is recommended. We do not use UVB with our lined geckos, though they are closely monitored and receive Vitamin D supplementation. ExRe's lined geckos enjoy rotating flavors of Repashy MRP 2-3 times per week. Once every 2 weeks, they gets everyone's favorite flavor: Banana Cream Pie. Environmental enrichment is provided by adding vitamin- and mineral-dusted crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms, or silkworms to their diets.