Nephrurus wheeleri
Vritra
Nephrurs wheeleri fall into the family of "knob-tailed geckos" and for obvious reasons. Originally from Australia, these hardy little geckos prefer arid environments where they can burrow or hide in shrubby and rocky areas. To add to their immaculate camouflage, N wheeleri is even known to kick sand onto its bumpy back side. N wheeleri are quickly becoming more common in the pet trade, as they are small, low-maintenance geckos who exhibit an active but docile disposition. If one does manage to irritate N wheeler, the animal will reward to intruder with a threat display, standing tall while hissing, lunging, or wagging their tails.
Vritra, masterfully camouflaging himself.
Vtritra surveys his domain from atop a log.
Vritra is named for a Hindu danava who brought drought. Gentle and calm, but curious and alert, Vritra is a wonderful reptile Ambassador for those who are a bit more squeamish. He is bumpy rather than scaly, and uses clawed toes rather than sticky pads to get around. Vritra is well aware of what you are doing and will continue to leave you to your business unless he is directly harmed. He can usually be found hiding in a humid cave during the day, though he will readily emerge when food is introduced. We particularly enjoy watching him wiggle his tail as he hunts down his favorite food items.
Interested in keeping a banded knob-tailed gecko? Below are general parameters for making your gecko comfortable.
Life Span: 10+ years
Cage Size: Minimum 20 gallon (wide rather than high)
Animal Size: 4.5"
Day/Night Hours: 12/12
Active times: Most active at night
Day temps: 75-80F
Hot Spot: 90F
Night temps: 75 F
Daytime humidity: 30-40%
Nighttime humidity: 30-40%
UVB: Low
Substrate: Arid substrate: Lugarti Natural Reptile Bedding, BioDude Arid Mix, OR mix of 40% topsoil or coco fiber, 40% fine sand, 20% Excavator Clay.
Diet: Insects
Decor: Terrestrial - good digging substrate with rock/wood hides and plants.
Vritri is unamused.
Our setup: ExRe houses banded knob-tailed geckos individually in 20 gal/gecko, horizontally-oriented enclosures. We use 1" deep arid substrate mix of 40% cocofiber, 40% fine sand, and 20% Excavator Clay. Damp sphagnum moss is added to 2 hides provide humid areas. Plants and rock hides are available at the surface, along with a shallow watering dish for soaking and drinking. These enclosures are misted lightly heavily twice per week, with an emphasis on the sphagnum moss. Temperatures range from 70F at one side of the enclosure to 95F at the other. Puck lights provide enough light for their plants and their day/night cycle. We do not use UVB with these geckos, though they are closely monitored and receive Vitamin D supplementation. ExRe's N wheeleri eat a staple diet of 10 medium crickets, gut-loaded and vitamin- and -mineral- dusted, with a rotating selection of dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms, or silkworms offered once per week.