Criptic's Page On Herps - Reptiles - Rhacodactylus - Mossy Prehensile-tailed Geckos

will reach sexual maturity typically between 14-18 months. They will breed beginning as early as March and extending as late as November. They typically will lay every 60 days, providing 3 clutches per breeding season, per animal. Females are very susceptible to calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease after about the 2nd or 3rd clutch. This is because their eggs are highly calcified, and require a large amount of calcium. Be sure to carefully monitor for early signs of metabolic bone disease. A common symptom is a the zigzagging of the tail. The more severe the calcium deficiency, the more kinking near the base of the tail. If the female is given more calcium, she will quickly recover.

Mossy prehensile-tailed geckos will not dig a nest and bury their eggs in the substrate. They will lay the eggs directly on the surface, and sometimes cover them with bits of surface litter. They have been reported to lay their eggs in the wild at the base of plants like thick rooted spider plants. The eggs of R. chahoua are covered with a calcium matrix that makes them rigid. The female will guard and defend their eggs, growling and striking at intruders, for about 24-48 hours.

Incubate the eggs at a fluctuating room temperature of upper 60's - 80 F. Incubation takes 65-90 days. If incubated at 82-84 F the clutch will take 55-70 days. The eggs are highly calcified and semi-rigid, giving the appearance of healthy eggs, even when they are dehydrated and house a dead embryo. Under calcified eggs, with thin calcium matrix will rarely hatch because they point to insufficient calcium reserves. If they are over calcified, neonates may have trouble breaking through them.

Neonates will have a total length of 3.5-4 inches. They will have about an even number of offspring that are male and female. The first shed is a critical time. Be sure to provide a moderate humidity, with daily light misting of the enclosure. This will assist with the first 2-3 sheds. When they shed, make sure that there is no skin remaining around the toes.

Juveniles will curl up in a ball and drop from the limb onto the ground when threatened. They will remain immobile and in the curled position for an extended period of time.

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