How long do House Geckos live?
House geckos live 5-10 years in captivity and reach 3-6 inches (8-15 cm). They are prolific breeders, with females laying pairs of eggs in hidden spots.
What do House Geckos eat?
Feed small live insects: crickets, fruit flies, small roaches and moths, gut-loaded and dusted with calcium, plus a D3 multivitamin weekly. Feed every day or two. They are strictly insectivorous and will not touch fruit, vegetables or rodent food.
House Gecko enclosure setup
A 10-20 gallon vertical terrarium with cork and branches suits a small group. Maintain 75-85°F (24-29°C) with a basking spot near 88°F (31°C) and a cooler side; nights can drop to 70°F (21°C). Humidity of 50-70% with light misting and a water dish is ideal. A low 5% T5 UVB is beneficial. A tight lid is essential — these are the ultimate escape artists.
Common mistakes with House Geckos
Typical errors: a cold tank (they stop eating below ~70°F / 21°C), letting humidity crash (stuck sheds), handling them (tail loss, extreme stress), and – outdoors or in invasive-range states – releasing them, which is both harmful and often illegal.
Beginner mistakes to avoid
- Cold enclosure — they refuse food below about 70°F (21°C).
- Dry tank — stuck sheds and dehydration.
- Handling — skittish, drops tail, high stress.
- Releasing them outdoors in invasive-range states (e.g., Florida) — ecological and legal problem.