What is the scientific name of the Mourning Gecko?

The scientific name of the Mourning Gecko is Lepidodactylus lugubris.

What are other common names for the Mourning Gecko?

The Mourning Gecko is also known as Common smooth-scaled gecko, Dwarf velvet gecko, and Tropical house gecko.

How big do Mourning Geckos get?

Adult Mourning Geckos typically reach about 3-4 inches.

How long do Mourning Geckos live?

Mourning Geckos live about 10-15 years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Mourning Gecko need?

Recommended temperatures for a Mourning Gecko: 70-75°F cool side, 75-80°F warm side, 80-84°F basking spot, and 65-72°F nighttime.

What humidity does a Mourning Gecko need?

Mourning Geckos need 60-80% humidity.

Do Mourning Geckos need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for Mourning Geckos: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a Mourning Gecko need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Mourning Gecko: Baby-Young: 12”x12”x18” ( 6 months +), OR, 24”x24”x24”; Adult: 18”x18”x36” (recommended), 24”x24”x48” (groups). Can always go bigger.

What do Mourning Geckos eat?

Mourning Geckos eat: Insects; Fruit: Powdered fruit diet (made specifically for geckos).

Are Mourning Geckos good for beginners?

Yes. Mourning Geckos are considered a beginner-level species.

Are Mourning Geckos nocturnal or diurnal?

Mourning Geckos are nocturnal (active at night).

What is Mourning Gecko behavior like?

Common Mourning Gecko behavior traits: Quick Moving; Vocalization; Arboreal; Tail-wagging/Tail Autotomy; Regenerative Ability; Parthenogenesis; Social & Communal; Some get used to cage maintenance and do not flee as much.

Do Mourning Geckos lay eggs?

Yes. Mourning Geckos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.

How many eggs does a Mourning Gecko lay?

A Mourning Gecko clutch is typically about 2 eggs.

How long do Mourning Gecko eggs take to hatch?

Mourning Gecko eggs typically incubate for about 60-90 days before hatching.

What is the best substrate for adult Mourning Geckos?

Recommended substrates for adult Mourning Geckos: ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use and TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use.

What is the best enclosure for a Mourning Gecko?

Recommended enclosures for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: HabiStat 12" Glass Terrariums. Sub-adult: HabiStat 18" Glass Terrariums. Adult: HabiStat 24" Glass Terrariums.

What lighting products are best for a Mourning Gecko?

Recommended lighting products for Mourning Geckos: Arcadia 7% UVB D3 ShadeDweller Lighting, 12".

What heating products does a Mourning Gecko need?

Recommended heating products for Mourning Geckos: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector.

Is there a complete habitat bundle for Mourning Geckos?

Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: Juvenile Mourning Gecko Bundle. Sub-adult: Subadult Mourning Gecko Bundle. Adult: Adult Mourning Gecko Bundle.

What food products are best for Mourning Geckos?

Recommended food products for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects. Sub-adult: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects. Adult: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya.

Mourning Gecko

Common Name(s)	Mourning gecko Common smooth-scaled gecko Dwarf velvet gecko Tropical house gecko
Scientific Name	Lepidodactylus lugubris
Behavior	Nocturnal (active during night) Quick Moving Vocalization Arboreal Tail-wagging/Tail Autotomy Regenerative Ability Parthenogenesis Social & Communal Some get used to cage maintenance and do not flee as much
Reproduction	They are an all-female species, and males are absent in their populations Parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where females can produce viable eggs without the need for fertilization by a male Oviparous (Egg Layer) Gestation: ~28-30 days Clutch size: ~2 eggs Incubation: ~60-90 days
Lifespan	~10-15 years
Temperatures	70-75°F cool side 75-80°F warm side 80-84°F basking spot 65-72°F nighttime
Humidity	60-80%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~3-4 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby-Young: 12”x12”x18” (<6 months) Sub Adult: 18”x18”x24” (>6 months +) OR 24”x24”x24” Adult: 18”x18”x36” (recommended) 24”x24”x48” (groups) *can always go bigger
Experience Level	Beginner *Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Insects Fruit: Powdered fruit diet (made specifically for geckos)

Filter by age:

Best Bundles for Adult Mourning Geckos

Adult Mourning Gecko Bundle

Best Substrates for Adult Mourning Geckos

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use: 8 Quart

Best Enclosures for Adult Mourning Geckos

HabiStat 24" Glass Terrariums: 24x18x24, 45 Gallon Terrarium

Best Diets for Adult Mourning Geckos

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects: 16 Ounce

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya: 16 Ounce

Best Lighting Products for Adult Mourning Geckos

Arcadia 7% UVB D3 ShadeDweller Lighting, 12": LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit

Best Heating Products for Adult Mourning Geckos

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 20W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

Best Bundles for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Subadult Mourning Gecko Bundle

Best Substrates for Subadult Mourning Geckos

TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use: 24 Quart

Best Enclosures for Subadult Mourning Geckos

HabiStat 18" Glass Terrariums: 18x18x24, 33 Gallon Terrarium

Best Diets for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya: 8 Ounce

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects: 8 Ounce

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Arcadia 7% UVB D3 ShadeDweller Lighting, 12": LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit

Best Heating Products for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 20W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

Best Bundles for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Juvenile Mourning Gecko Bundle

Best Substrates for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use: 8 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

HabiStat 12" Glass Terrariums: 12x12x18, 11 Gallon Terrarium

Best Diets for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya: 2 Ounce

Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects: 2 Ounce

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Arcadia 7% UVB D3 ShadeDweller Lighting, 12": LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 20W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 5.5"

The Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) is a fascinating species primarily known for its parthenogenetic reproduction, meaning females can produce offspring without the need for males. In fact, nearly all individuals of this species are female, and they reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis. This unique reproductive strategy allows populations to rapidly establish and expand in new environments, making them excellent colonizers. As a result, Mourning Geckos have successfully spread to a wide range of locations across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, including tropical islands, coastal regions, and even urban areas. Despite their small size, typically reaching just 3.5 to 4 inches in length, these geckos are remarkably resilient and adaptable.

Another interesting aspect of the Mourning Gecko is its social behavior. These geckos are known to form small colonies, often sharing communal spaces with multiple individuals. Within these colonies, they display a unique hierarchy, with dominant females exhibiting more aggressive behaviors to assert their status. Despite their parthenogenetic nature, Mourning Geckos still engage in pseudo-mating behaviors, which are thought to stimulate egg production. This social and reproductive adaptability, along with their ability to thrive in a wide variety of habitats, has contributed to their successful spread across numerous islands and regions. Additionally, they are nocturnal, feeding on a varied diet of insects, fruit, and nectar, which helps them thrive in both natural and urban settings.

Native Range

Indo-Pacific

Indonesia

Philippines

Malaysia

Thailand

Western Pacific

Fiji

Samoa

Tonga

Solomon Islands

Hawaii

Florida

Various Islands in the Caribbean

Why ReptiChip?

ReptiChip is made by mourning geckos lovers, for mourning geckos lovers. It’s what the pros use, and it’s what you can use, too.

Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect mourning geckos bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate mourning geckos bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common Mourning Gecko ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Mourning Gecko is Lepidodactylus lugubris.
: The Mourning Gecko is also known as Common smooth-scaled gecko, Dwarf velvet gecko, and Tropical house gecko.
: Mourning Geckos are native to Indo-Pacific, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Western Pacific, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Hawaii, Florida, and Various Islands in the Caribbean.
: Adult Mourning Geckos typically reach about 3-4 inches.
: Mourning Geckos live about 10-15 years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Mourning Gecko: 70-75°F cool side, 75-80°F warm side, 80-84°F basking spot, and 65-72°F nighttime.
: Mourning Geckos need 60-80% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Mourning Geckos: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Mourning Gecko: Baby-Young: 12”x12”x18” (<6 months); Sub Adult: 18”x18”x24” (>6 months +), OR, 24”x24”x24”; Adult: 18”x18”x36” (recommended), 24”x24”x48” (groups). Can always go bigger.
: Mourning Geckos eat: Insects; Fruit: Powdered fruit diet (made specifically for geckos).
: Yes. Mourning Geckos are considered a beginner-level species.
: Mourning Geckos are nocturnal (active at night).
: Common Mourning Gecko behavior traits: Quick Moving; Vocalization; Arboreal; Tail-wagging/Tail Autotomy; Regenerative Ability; Parthenogenesis; Social & Communal; Some get used to cage maintenance and do not flee as much.
: Yes. Mourning Geckos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
: A Mourning Gecko clutch is typically about 2 eggs.
: Mourning Gecko eggs typically incubate for about 60-90 days before hatching.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Mourning Geckos: TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Mourning Geckos: TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for adult Mourning Geckos: ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use and TropicalBase Terrarium Mix; Bioactive Ready to Use.
: Recommended enclosures for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: HabiStat 12" Glass Terrariums. Sub-adult: HabiStat 18" Glass Terrariums. Adult: HabiStat 24" Glass Terrariums.
: Recommended lighting products for Mourning Geckos: Arcadia 7% UVB D3 ShadeDweller Lighting, 12".
: Recommended heating products for Mourning Geckos: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector.
: Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: Juvenile Mourning Gecko Bundle. Sub-adult: Subadult Mourning Gecko Bundle. Adult: Adult Mourning Gecko Bundle.
: Recommended food products for Mourning Geckos by age. Juvenile: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects. Sub-adult: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects. Adult: Pangea Complete Gecko Diet with Insects and Pangea Complete Gecko Diet, Papaya.

Mourning Gecko

What Makes ReptiChip The BestMourning Gecko Bedding

Best Bundles for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Substrates for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Enclosures for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Diets for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Lighting Products for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Heating Products for Adult Mourning Geckos

Best Bundles for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Substrates for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Enclosures for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Diets for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Heating Products for Subadult Mourning Geckos

Best Bundles for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Best Substrates for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Best Diets for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Mourning Geckos

Why ReptiChip?

Common Mourning Gecko ReptiChip Questions

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