The Malaysian cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) is an enchanting lesser recognized gecko species within the reptile group belonging to the sub-family Aeluroscalabotinae. They’re native to Southeast Asia and are significantly present in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia. Moreover, a definite sub-species unique to Indonesia has been recognized, particularly present in Sanana of the Sula Islands, generally known as A.f. multituberculatus.
The cat gecko was first described by Albert Gunther (1864) a German-born British zoologist recognized for his important contributions to the sphere of herpetology. They’re the one species throughout the genus Aeluroscalabotes. They belong to the household Eublepharidae, which incorporates different gecko species generally generally known as “eyelid geckos” on account of their movable eyelids.
Cat gecko atop a log in a naturalistic terrarium. Picture by Monique Karl
Three acknowledged subspecies of cat geckos are recognized. The most well-liked one is A. felinus of the Cameron Highlands area within the state of Pahang, Malaysia. The realm is understood for its cool local weather and montane rainforest. The vast majority of wild-caught cat geckos which are imported into america come from the Cameron Highlands area.
Be sure that the enclosure has loads of climbing branches to your cat gecko. Picture by Monique Karl
One other recognized locale, A. felinus silver-eyed are from Johor within the hotter southern a part of Peninsular Malaysia. This locale could be very uncommon and has been protected by the native authorities. There could also be just a few reptile breeders in Europe who’re breeding them, however there are at the moment no out there imports to america. The final locale or subspecies is A. dorsalis, the green-eyed cat gecko from the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. The traits of the Borneo cat geckos are very totally different than the A. felinus making them extra of a subspecies and shouldn’t be bred collectively. Breeding totally different locales collectively may end up in hybrids that will not precisely signify any explicit locale’s traits. This could possibly be problematic for breeders or reptile keepers desirous about sustaining pure bred strains or preserving the distinctive traits of particular locales.
Juvenile cat gecko. Picture by Monique Karl
Bodily Traits and Habits
Cat geckos probably acquired their frequent title on account of their considerably feline look and conduct. They’ve a slender physique and an extended prehensile tail that helps them maintain onto branches. They wrap their tails round their our bodies whereas they sleep identical to cats do. Females can attain 8 inches in size, whereas males are normally smaller round 4 to five inches in size. Aeluroscalabotes felinus are extra of a brown, orange and rust colour with a variety of patterning. Their colour helps them camouflage properly beneath bark and leaf litter.
A. felinus. Cat geckos primarily feed on bugs. Picture by Monique Karl
The variations with A. dorsalis are that they’re a tad smaller than A. felinus and have greenish eyes and extra of a darkish maroon base colour. Some may have a white stripe and a few patterning happening their vertebral line. Due to their nocturnal nature, they’ve comparatively massive eyes to boost their imaginative and prescient throughout low gentle circumstances.They’ve blueish tongues and their heads, together with their our bodies, are elongated and angular in form. Different cat-like options are their retractable claws that assist them seize onto branches and bark. Additionally they have a sluggish cat-like stroll and can hand around in the identical spot for hours whereas attempting to find prey. They’re semi-arboreal as they are going to sleep beneath leaf litter and conceal in small crevices in the course of the day and climb excessive tree branches and varied vegetation at evening. They’re elusive creatures, requiring a way of safety to flourish. When threatened they are going to elevate up their tail and open their mouth. Their common life span is reported to be round 10 years outdated.
Malaysian cat gecko grownup. Picture by Monique Karl
What do Malaysian Cat Geckos Eat?
Cat geckos primarily feed on bugs, favoring small crickets, roaches, snails and isopods. Nevertheless, they’ve a sensitivity to minerals, so calcium supplementation must be restricted. Isopods are a precious supply of calcium, so dusting different feeders with calcium ought to happen solely as soon as each three weeks. Gravid females can obtain calcium dusted meals each two weeks. We’ve noticed that crickets and isopods are their most well-liked bugs. We feed them two to a few crickets just a few instances every week. Having too many feeders in at one time may cause stress. When sustaining them in captivity, it’s advisable to make use of solely R/O or distilled water for misting, as faucet water comprises extreme minerals that may result in kidney stone improvement. These stones, related in look to their urates can pose well being dangers if mineral consumption is extreme.
Terrarium
We extremely advisable you create a naturalistic terrarium for cat geckos, full with substrate, climbing branches, actual vegetation in addition to faux vegetation and loads of hiding spots and a small water dish. As a consequence of their small and slender construct, cat geckos make the most of vegetation with massive leaves and leaf litter on the substrate for safety. Appropriate vegetation comparable to ficus and pothos may be included into their enclosures, whereas cork bark offers an important climbing floor and hiding spot. An enclosure round 18” x 18” x 24” or bigger is right for a single cat gecko. Like different gecko species, males ought to by no means be housed collectively.
An 18″x18″x 24″ terrarium is right for a Malaysian cat gecko.
Cat geckos are usually present in humid rainforest environments and like cooler temperatures with excessive humidity. Sustaining humidity ranges between 65-85% of their enclosure is essential. Heavy misting at evening entices them to return out and lick water droplets off the vegetation.
Daytime temperatures starting from 72 to 78 levels Fahrenheit (22 to 25 levels Celsius) are appropriate, with a nighttime drop between 66 to 72 levels Fahrenheit (19 to 22 levels Celsius). Regardless of being solely nocturnal, offering them with a correct day-night cycle, together with UVB, is helpful for his or her well-being and plant progress. (The cat gecko is a Ferguson Zone 1 reptile. It’s a nocturnal/crepuscular shade dweller. Select a UVB lamp with a Zone vary UVI of 0-0.7 with a most UVI of 0.6 to 1.4 on the basking zone. For extra data on UVB and your reptiles, go to https://t.ly/zjUfZ.) A lightweight cycle lasting 8 to 10 hours per day mimics their pure setting, making certain optimum circumstances for each geckos and vegetation.
Captive Breeding
Initially, it’s essential to make sure you have a male and a feminine pair for breeding. Mature males may be recognized by the presence of a hemipenial bulge and usually weigh round 15 grams. Females attain breeding maturity when they’re roughly two years outdated and weigh round 27 grams. Breeding pairs must be housed in an 18” x 18” x 24” or related measurement enclosure. This must be massive sufficient to accommodate each geckos comfortably, with hiding spots, climbing branches, vegetation and substrate.
A gravid feminine cat gecko. Picture by Monique Karl
We home our breeding pairs collectively for 9 months beginning in late January and separating the males to start with of September. When able to breed males could provoke courtship conduct. If the feminine is receptive, mating will happen, usually with the male wrapping its tail across the feminine throughout copulation. It’s possible you’ll often discover when the females are gravid as a result of the eggs are generally seen by their our bodies. Our females lay two eggs each 60 days or so. They are going to lay their eggs in hidden areas normally buried within the substrate beneath their disguise. Eggs will normally seem darkish from the soil overlaying them. We’ve had infants hatch within the enclosure from a feminine that hasn’t been bred in virtually a yr, indicating that females can retain sperm.
Picture by Monique Karl
For incubation we make the most of 8 oz deli cups full of reptile incubation media, which modifications colour primarily based on its moisture stage, permitting for straightforward monitoring and adjustment of water ranges as wanted. Every set of eggs is assigned its personal deli cup to trace lineage. The eggs are saved in a darkish setting at room temperature (73 to 75 levels Fahrenheit/ 22.8 to 23.9 levels Celsius), with incubation durations starting from 90 to 120 days. This technique has persistently yielded profitable hatching outcomes for us.
Malaysian cat gecko hatchlings. Picture by Monique Karl
Hatchling Care
Guaranteeing the well being and well-being of hatchlings entails consideration to element and correct husbandry practices. In our expertise, we make the most of a 6-quart Sterilite tub with vented sides for air move. One gecko is saved per container to maintain monitor of well being and lineage. We use a combination of coco fiber, peat moss and soil, supplemented with a disguise, sticks, a water dish and a faux plant to create an appropriate habitat. We add in small isopods and spring tails to make it semi-bioactive. The tubs are additionally good for conserving in humidity. Temperature necessities stay the identical as adults. Hatchlings are fed small crickets. We provide small crickets each three days. As soon as they attain 4 to five months outdated we transition them right into a 12” x 12” x 18” enclosure. To scale back stress, the dealing with of hatchlings is restricted.
Conclusion
In our opinion, the Malaysian cat gecko is an enchanting species. Though not as continuously saved as different geckos, an growing variety of reptile breeders have achieved success in breeding them, resulting in better availability of captive bred animals. Though not usually advisable for novices, with correct husbandry they’ll make nice reptile pets. This charming species exhibits promising potential for the long run.
Matt and Monique Karl are the homeowners and operators of Evolver Reptiles. For the previous decade they’ve been specializing in breeding uncommon species of geckos, skinks, snakes and different lizards. They are often reached at www.evolverreptiles.com.
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