Dehydration can become an issue for leaf-tailed geckos (Uroplatus species) in captivity, especially for newly acquired or wild-caught individuals. Since these geckos originate from the humid rainforests of Madagascar, they have specific hydration needs that must be met to stay healthy. At Nealon Reptiles, we prioritize the hydration of our geckos through effective misting and fogging techniques to mimic their natural environment. We’ll explore how to prevent dehydration in leaf-tailed geckos, the signs of dehydration, and the methods we use to keep our geckos hydrated, including misting and fogging strategies.
Why Is Hydration Important for Leaf-Tailed Geckos?
Leaf-tailed geckos come from environments with consistently high humidity levels, typically 70-90%. In the wild, they rely on dew, rain, and the high humidity in the air to stay hydrated, drinking water droplets that collect on leaves and other surfaces. In captivity, replicating these conditions is essential for their health, as low humidity or inadequate hydration can lead to dehydration, shedding issues, and other health problems.
Signs of Dehydration in Leaf-Tailed Geckos
Dehydration can be dangerous for leaf-tailed geckos if left untreated. Here are some common signs to look for:
- Sunken Eyes: One of the most obvious signs of dehydration is sunken or dull-looking eyes.
- Wrinkled or Loose Skin: The skin may appear dry, wrinkled, or saggy, especially around the limbs and sides.
- Lethargy: Dehydrated geckos may become less active and spend more time hiding or resting.
- Difficulty Shedding: Dehydration often leads to incomplete or problematic shedding, where old skin does not come off entirely.
- Lack of Appetite: Severe dehydration can lead to a reduced appetite or refusal to eat.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to immediately address your gecko’s hydration needs.
Preventing Dehydration in Leaf-Tailed Geckos
At Nealon Reptiles, we use a combination of misting and fogging techniques to maintain proper hydration levels for our Uroplatus geckos. Here’s how to effectively prevent dehydration:
1. Using Misting Systems
We use MistKing systems for automated misting, which ensures consistent humidity and provides water droplets for the geckos to drink from:
We mist the enclosures at least twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Additional misting sessions may be added during the breeding season or in particularly dry conditions. During the warm seasons, we mist 3 times daily, with an additional misting session taking place around 2 am.
Each misting session lasts 1-2 minutes, providing enough moisture to create droplets on leaves, branches, and enclosure walls. The duration can be adjusted based on the species’ specific needs and environmental conditions.
Position the MistKing nozzles to ensure even coverage throughout the enclosure. Ensure that mist reaches foliage and climbing surfaces where the geckos can easily access the droplets for drinking. You’ll want to observe your enclosure as your plants grow. Sometimes, the plants we put in their enclosures grow in a manner that kind of messes up the mist pattern. We’ll trim back the plant to ensure that the mist reaches most of the enclosure if not all of it.
2. Fogging with Hydrofogger Systems
Fogging adds an extra layer of humidity and helps mimic the natural conditions of a rainforest:
We use Hydrofogger systems to create a gentle fog in the Uroplatus building, which increases humidity and helps keep the geckos hydrated. The foggers run at night when natural fog occurs in the gecko’s habitat.
When we receive new Uroplatus, especially wild-caught geckos, we fog heavily in their specific enclosures for the first 72 hours. This intense hydration helps the geckos recover from the stress of importation and rehydrates them after a potentially dry journey. The continuous fogging encourages them to drink and aids in acclimating to their new environment. Since we started doing this, the number of Wild-Caught Leaf-tails that survive and thrive has dramatically increased. Even after the initial hydration period, we continue using foggers at night to maintain high humidity levels.
3. Maintaining Optimal Humidity Levels
Consistently maintaining humidity levels between 70-90% is crucial for preventing dehydration:
You should use a hygrometer to monitor humidity levels in the enclosure. Digital hygrometers provide more accurate readings than analog ones. In our facility, we monitor the humidity at the room level. Since the whole building is dedicated to Uroplatus, we can do this. If you have just a couple of enclosures, you’ll probably want to put one in each enclosure. If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind knowing what your data is.
While most Uroplatus species thrive with high humidity, it’s important to know the specific needs of each species. For example, Uroplatus henkeli and Uroplatus ebenaui will prefer slightly lower humidity than some rainforest-dwelling species like Uroplatus phantasticus.
4. Providing a Humidity Box
Not many Uroplatus keepers do this, but adding a humid box can give geckos a place to retreat and rehydrate. You can make a humidity box by placing damp sphagnum moss inside a hide or plastic container with a small entrance. The moss should be kept moist but not soaking wet. The humid box should be located in a cooler part of the enclosure to provide a gradient in temperature and humidity.
5. Ensuring Proper Enclosure Setup
An enclosure that supports hydration includes live plants, proper substrates, and natural surfaces:
Plants like pothos, ficus, and bromeliads help maintain higher humidity levels and provide surfaces for water droplets to collect. In addition, having live plants in your enclosure is just part of creating the perfect enclosure for them.
Using a moisture-retentive substrate, such as a mix of coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, and leaf litter, helps maintain humidity in the enclosure. If you’re maintaining your collection in Bioactive enclosures, this should be pretty easy.
Provide branches and foliage at various heights, as geckos will drink from droplets on different surfaces. Our Uroplatus will also lap up water drops from the sides of their enclosures. Because of this, you’ll want to ensure your enclosure is cleaned regularly. You don’t want them drinking water from the sides of the enclosure that has been in contact with their feces – and they love to leave those on the sides of their enclosures.
What to Do if Your Leaf-Tailed Gecko Is Dehydrated
If you notice signs of dehydration, it is important to act quickly:
The first step would be immediately raising the humidity by misting more frequently and increasing fogging sessions. You can also temporarily place the gecko in a humidity box to encourage rehydration.
In extreme cases, we have used a pipette or spray bottle to offer water droplets directly to the gecko’s mouth. Many geckos drink from a pipette or spray stream if dehydrated. You can often get them to drink by placing water drops on their nose. The water will run down into their mouth—often even if their mouth is closed.
If your gecko does not respond to increased humidity or shows severe symptoms (e.g., lethargy or significant weight loss), seek help from a reptile veterinarian who can provide fluids or other supportive care. Luckily, if you quickly catch any signs of dehydration, this should not be necessary.
Long-Term Hydration Strategies
Maintaining proper hydration is an ongoing process. Here are additional tips for long-term care:
- Regular Monitoring: Check the gecko’s condition and enclosure humidity regularly. Address any changes in hydration needs, such as during the dry season or shedding.
- Quarantine New Arrivals: Always quarantine new geckos for at least 30 days to monitor their hydration status and overall health before introducing them to established enclosures.
- Seasonal Adjustments: Mimic seasonal changes in humidity levels to replicate the natural conditions of Madagascar, increasing humidity during the “rainy season” (November to April) and reducing it slightly during the “dry season” (May to October).
Preventing dehydration in leaf-tailed geckos is essential for their health and well-being. At Nealon Reptiles, we use a combination of MistKing misting systems and Hydrofogger foggers to maintain optimal hydration levels for our geckos. We take extra care with new arrivals, especially wild-caught individuals, by fogging heavily during the first 72 hours to ensure they are properly hydrated. By maintaining high humidity, providing proper misting and fogging routines, and using effective husbandry practices, we help our Uroplatus geckos thrive in captivity.
