A rewarding group of geckos gaining popularity in the U.S. herpetoculture scene are knob-Tailed Geckos. Knob-taileds are members of the family Carphodactylidae, a unique group of geckos endemic to the continent of Australia. Oftentimes referred to by their genus name, Nephrurus, (which means “kidney-tail”) Knob-taileds have a stigma of being difficult and fragile. This has kept most keepers at bay when selecting a new gecko species to keep.
Because of the strict import and export laws of Australia very few, if any, Knob-tails have been exported from Australia over the last several decades. This has made them a commodity, coveted and oftentimes very expensive species to acquire.
However, over the past decade or so, more captive breeders in the US have taken the time to study and breed these wonderful geckos in larger volumes. This has allowed more people access to the genus and the price per gecko to become more reasonable for the average keeper.
Of the 14 species of Nephrurus, one species has become the most available to the beginner knob-tail keeper, Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus. These “banded knob-tails”are not only hearty geckos to keep, but also very alert, active, and don’t mind human interaction as much as other species in the genus. Banded Knob-tails can be kept alone or in groups (only one male per group) in a relatively easy, and inexpensive enclosure.
A 10 gallon glass aquarium works great for one gecko, while a 30 gallon breeder aquarium would be suitable for three geckos. Nephrurus also do quite well in rack systems, providing the tub is deep enough to dig and proper ventilation can be achieved.
Banded Knob-taileds like to hide and dig tunnels. Multiple hiding spots should be provided to give the geckos a choice of what they feel is the safest hide. A substrate of 2/3 sand, 1/3 organic soil works great for adults and juveniles.
Being nocturnal, Banded Knob-tails don’t require UVB lighting, however, a powder supplement of multivitamin with calcium and D3 should be dusted on prey items 2 times a week. Knob-taileds are arid desert geckos, so higher temperatures are a must during the day.
Hatchling geckos should be kept on thick paper towels for the first few months of their life. Paper towels will prevent baby geckos from consuming too much sand as they learn to hunt. Knob-taileds typically don’t drink from a water dish, instead they lap up dew beads off of rocks and plants. Spraying your enclosure 2-3 times a week will allow the gecko to be hydrated as well as dampen the substrate for better digging.
A hot side of 85F (29.4C) and a cool side of 76F (24.4C) is perfect for during the day. At night, the temperature can drop dramatically like it does in the desert. Normal room temperature of 71-75F (21-23.8C) is perfect for nighttime hours.
A healthy, hatching gecko can be purchased from a breeder for around $150 while adults can range in price from $250-$500 depending on pattern and color.
It’s important when shopping for a Knob-tail, that the gecko be acquired from a reputable breeder to ensure a healthy and happy specimen. And although Nephrurus aren’t necessarily for the beginner herpetoculturist, with education and care, everyone can enjoy these wonderful geckos.
