Care Guide - Malayan banded forest Gecko

The Malayan Forest Gecko, also known as the Banded Bent-Toe Gecko, is a moderately sized species native to the forests of Thailand and the Malaysian Peninsulas. The specific gecko I have may not actually belong to the species Cyrtodactylus pulchellus, but is more likely a Cyrtodactylus lekaguli or Cyrtodactylus langkawiensis. This assumption is based on the patterning—these subspecies typically display a more dotted appearance around the white bands, whereas the pulchellus is characterized by bold, uninterrupted white bands that sharply define the darker layers.

Misidentification often occurs due to the way these geckos are caught in the wild and traded. Communication gaps between traders in Thailand and Malaysia likely contribute to specimens being mislabeled as the endangered pulchellus, rather than the more abundant subspecies, which hold a "Least Concern" conservation status.

Can they be Cohabilitated? - 

I strongly recommend keeping these geckos separate, except for breeding purposes. There isn't much reliable information available online about their care, but based on my own observations and how they interact with their environment, they appear to be quite territorial. Unless you are highly experienced and know exactly what you're doing, housing them together is not advisable. Personally, my gecko is kept alone and does not share its space with any other animals.

What size do they get? - 

These geckos are medium-sized, typically reaching a length of 10-18 cm, or about 8-10 cm from snout to vent. The exact size of younger individuals may vary, but as a general comparison, they are roughly the same size as a crested gecko.

When will i see them? -

This species of gecko is naturally very shy. During the day, they remain asleep, but once night falls—typically after 8 PM—and the environment is dark enough, they will begin to explore their enclosure. However, if they detect any movement outside their enclosure, they will immediately freeze in place. If approached in a way they perceive as threatening, especially near their face, they will quickly dart away, and they are incredibly fast. With patience and gentle handling, it is possible to work with them and make them more comfortable being handled over time.

Costs to keep -

How much will it roughly cost you to keep an individual Malay banded forest gecko well including the setup and ongoing costs, this does not include unexpected vet bills or the rising cost of products over time.

Used for energy calculation : https://www.sust-it.net/energy-calculator.php

Distribution -

As we are speaking about Cyrtodactylus pulchellus we are looking at a very small distribution that is only found on Penang Island Malasia, these geckos have been given an endangered status because of this. However if we are looking at the species i beleive i may have being either the Cyrtodactylus langkawiensis which is found on the island of Langkawi exclusivly and the other suspected subspecies Cyrtodactylus lekaguli is found across the nortern parts of malasia.

Below are some images from Google Maps showcasing their range. You'll notice that these subspecies share remarkably similar habitats, thriving in steep elevations and dense tropical forests.

Rating - (Ease of care) - Moderatly easy  - ★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Relatively unknown in the hobby ★★

Primarily nocturnal hunters ★

May bite when stressed ★

These medium-sized geckos possess strong jaws capable of delivering a firm bite when stressed, which may break the skin. However, they are generally docile and can be easily managed with proper care and handling. Being nocturnal, they become active later in the evening, typically starting their hunt for prey around 10 to 11 PM—later than many other species I keep. I deeply admire these geckos, not only for their rarity but also because they remain relatively mysterious within the reptile-keeping community. Their uniqueness makes them a fascinating addition to any collection.

Setup Requirements - 

Providing sufficient space is essential for these reptiles. This Medium-sized geckos dosn’t require an extensive enclosure, as they are generally less active than other gecko species and tend to move at a slower pace. While the minimum recommended enclosure size is 30x30x45 cm, opting for a larger setup is highly encouraged if space allows. Even though they are not highly active, they will appreciate and make use of the extra room.

Glass enclosures are an excellent choice for this species, as they thrive in humid environments. Glass helps maintain the necessary humidity levels effectively. However, to reduce unnecessary stress, it's recommended to cover the sides of the enclosure. This prevents them from seeing too much of their surroundings, as they are naturally shy creatures and excessive visibility can make them feel uneasy.

Substrate options and decor-

A well-balanced layer of Arcadia Earth Mix works perfectly as the base substrate. On top of this, place a layer of leaves and sphagnum moss to effectively retain humidity. Adding natural décor, such as sticks, can enhance the enclosure’s aesthetics and functionality. Willow sticks from garden centers are particularly suitable—you can cut them to the desired size and secure them with HA6 marine glue or reptile-safe adhesive. Providing a safe hiding space is crucial for your gecko's well-being. If you're creating a densely planted terrarium, this will naturally offer plenty of hiding spots, which minimizes the need for additional hides. (I’ll cover live plant recommendations further down.) However, if your enclosure isn't heavily planted, be sure to include a dedicated hide to ensure your gecko feels secure.

Suitable Live plants

Here are some recommendations that not only elevate the aesthetic but also cater to their needs. We'll start with non-native plants and then move to species from their natural habitat.

First up is the Pothos. This plant is an easy choice due to its ability to thrive in the temperatures commonly found in enclosures. It also loves high-humidity environments. With its large, lush leaves, geckos can use them as perfect hiding spots, making it both functional and visually appealing.

Next is the Fittonia, a wonderful option for covering the enclosure's floor. Its vibrant appearance adds a pop of color while providing excellent ground-level coverage for your gecko to explore and hide.

Finally, consider the Parlour Palm. This plant is a popular choice for humid enclosures as it grows quickly and can be pruned to fit your setup without harming the plant. Its elegant fronds add height and structure, creating a naturalistic environment for your gecko.

Here are some native plants that can be considered for planting an enclosure. Detailed descriptions are provided in the sections below.

Torch Ginger (Etlingera Elatior) - 

Megan (Pometia pinnata) -

These trees are native to the natural habitat of geckos and can actually produce fruit with a flavor reminiscent of lychee. Classified as hardwood trees, they have the potential to grow quite large. To make them more accessible, I’ve included a link to their Google listing, as they appear to be more common than some of the other plants mentioned. Their broad leaves provide excellent hiding spots for geckos, offering them shelter during the day and protection before they become more active at night.

Parasol leaf tree (Macaranga tanarius) -

These trees are commonly found in the natural habitats of these Geckos. However, they tend to grow quite large, with oversized leaves, which may make them less suitable for long-term use in certain enclosures, as they are technically trees. While pruning might help keep them smaller, the size of their leaves could still pose a challenge. If I manage to find any available options, I will update this section with additional details.

Cycad fern -

Cycas is an ancient type of fern, with four species native to Malaysia: Cycas cantafolia, Cycas clivicola, Cycas edentata, and Cycas macrocarpa. Feel free to explore the Wikipedia pages linked above for more information. I’ve noticed many of these ferns growing along roads where geckos are commonly spotted. Their striking, branching leaves make them an excellent addition to terrariums, providing perfect climbing surfaces for geckos. If you're interested, I found a website offering seeds for some of these species. While these plants can grow quite large, starting from seed is ideal for terrarium setups. With regular pruning, they can be maintained at a manageable size for your enclosure, making them a practical and visually appealing choice.

Weeping Fig - (ficus benjamina) -

These plants are native to the natural habitat of Malay forest geckos and are surprisingly easy to find and purchase online. I often use them to enhance the enclosures of various species. Over time, they develop strong branches that can be pruned to fit the specific needs of any setup. They are also quite hardy, making them suitable for a wide range of environments. With their waxy, cushioned leaves, they serve as excellent space fillers and create ideal hiding spots for geckos.

Shoebutton Marlberry (Ardisia escallonioides) - This is an evergreen shrub native to Malaysia and surrounding regions. It produces berries, but it is unclear whether they are toxic to geckos. Since geckos are naturally found within the shrub's distribution range, it seems unlikely that the berries are harmful. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. I will update this page as I gather more information. The berries are high in sugar, which means they may not be the healthiest food source for geckos, even if they’re non-toxic. For your reference, I’ve included a Google link to learn more about this plant. While I couldn’t find any listings for it being sold in the UK, there are other plants within the same genus that look similar. Further research into their subspecies can help determine if they are native alternatives and suitable replacements.

Heating and lighting -

These Geckos require proper heating and lighting during the day to thrive. A 25W bulb in a lighting fixture, paired with a thermostat set to 26°C, works effectively. Position the thermostat sensor 4-6 cm away from the bulb to maintain a daytime temperature range of 21-26°C. At night, temperatures can safely drop to 18-20°C, especially if your room isn't heated. I recommend providing a low UV output 8W 30cm fixture to ensure the best possible welfare. This allows them to receive some UV exposure, mimicking what they would naturally experience in the wild, and helps to further protect against MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease) over time.

When examining their natural temperature range, we notice minimal variations throughout the year. They inhabit a remarkably stable environment in terms of temperature. As shown in the Weather Spark chart below, during the Southern Hemisphere's winter months, there’s only a slight 2-3°C difference compared to the summer months. Considering this and their tendency to stay hidden in the lower levels of trees and bushes during the day, maintaining a temperature of 21-26°C during the day is ideal. Allowing a nighttime drop to 18-20°C will suit them well and mimic their natural conditions effectively. To provide further clarity, I have chosen Langkawi Island as the focus for this evidence. I believe the individual in question is likely from this location, and overall, there isn't a significant difference when compared to the mainland.

So if we do a little bit more research and go a bit further into there habitats heating and UV Parameters

Humidity requirements -

To thrive, this species depends on a high-humidity environment to stay hydrated and shed properly. Maintaining humidity levels between 70-85% is crucial for their health and overall well-being. Additionally, providing a water dish is essential to meet their hydration needs.

To mimic their natural habitat, mist the enclosure in the morning and evening. A thoughtfully designed setup should retain moisture effectively, minimizing the need for frequent misting during the day. However, it's important to regularly check humidity levels and mist as needed to ensure they remain within the optimal range.

As we delve deeper into this research, it becomes evident that certain periods of the year are significantly drier than others. During the southern hemisphere’s winter months (April to October), rainfall is more frequent and substantial, with daily averages ranging from 120mm to 234mm. The likelihood of rain during this time varies between 50% and 77%, meaning rain occurs almost every other day or up to 5 out of 7 days in a week. In contrast, the summer months experience a notable decrease in both rainfall and its probability. By January, the chance of rain drops as low as 10%, and the daily rainfall averages only 24mm.

Given these patterns, it’s clear that reducing spraying frequency during the summer months would better replicate the natural conditions of their habitat in terms of humidity and precipitation. I recommend adjusting the spraying schedule from three times a day to twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening. This aligns with natural humidity levels, as nighttime temperatures drop, leading to the formation of dew, providing additional moisture.

This data was collected from Weatherspark and covers the Island of Langkawi.

Diet and nutrition-

Malayan banded forest geckos have a diverse diet, primarily consisting of insects. These nocturnal hunters are most active at night, searching for prey. Below is a list of recommended food options you can offer:

• 5th instar locusts
• Adult black crickets
• Adult brown crickets
• Waxworms
• Mealworms
• Crested Gecko Diet

As shown above, I’ve recently added crested gecko diets to my routine. This is currently an experimental approach I’m testing, as I’ve observed that fruit trees are naturally abundant within their native range. Because of this, I suspect they consume berries and other fruits as part of their diet. I offer fruit sparingly, about once a week, and have noticed that they do eat it to some degree.I might consider trying fresh fruit occasionally in the future. 

In addition to this, I rotate between a variety of insects, such as different types of crickets and locusts, while occasionally including other options. All insects I provide are lightly dusted with Arkvits, which is a mix of Nutrobal and Ace-High by Vetark. This supplement ensures they receive essential vitamins and minerals not naturally present in crickets, promoting healthy bone growth and preventing metabolic bone disease (MBD).

For wild-caught specimens, which are typically 99% adults, I find that offering 6–10 crickets (or the equivalent) per week works well. I monitor their size and adjust the amount of food accordingly. If they don’t consume their insects within a 24-hour period, I remove the uneaten crickets and reduce the frequency of feedings.

Arkvits

Behaviours-

They are elusive geckos, known for their fascinating nighttime behavior. Typically, they remain hidden in their shelters or beneath bushes during the day, only emerging after nightfall. However, if you turn off the lights and wait patiently, you may catch a glimpse of them venturing out earlier in the evening. These geckos move with a slow, stealthy grace, almost appearing to sneak or slumber as they explore. Yet, when startled, they can dart away with surprising speed—an instinctive tactic to evade predators.

At night, they tend to hang directly on the mesh of the enclosure, and they appear to enjoy this behavior. It’s possible that this mimics their natural instinct of hanging from trees in the wild, allowing them to observe their surroundings and search for insect prey.

Handling -

While I haven’t personally handled this species, I’ve read that they can be tamed quite effectively with consistent, gentle, and slow movements. Over time, this helps them become accustomed to handling, reducing their likelihood of panicking or bolting. Similar to other geckos, I recommend limiting handling sessions to about 10 minutes per day to avoid stressing them. Keep in mind that stress levels and temperament can vary between individual geckos, so it’s essential to observe their body language and adjust your approach based on how your gecko is feeling on any given day.

Day and night Cycle -

The natural habitat of these geckos features highly stable day and night cycles, with minimal variation—typically no more than a 15-minute difference. To replicate this, a consistent 12-hour day and 12-hour night cycle is ideal and does not require seasonal adjustments.

Common health issues -

Unfortunately, most of these lizards are currently wild-caught, which means many of their health problems stem from their time in the wild. Common issues include parasites and the unknown age of the animals. Since their lifespan is typically 15-20 years, purchasing a wild-caught lizard may mean acquiring one with a significantly shortened life expectancy. Additionally, due to their rarity and skittish nature, taking these lizards to a veterinarian can be quite challenging.

Cleaning -

Remove debris, such as dead insects and waste, from the enclosure daily. If you’re not using a bioactive setup, perform a thorough cleaning of the entire enclosure every two months. Additionally, clean any decorations periodically—ideally over the course of a month—to prevent bacterial buildup.

Brumation

The temperatures in this region stay consistently stable year-round, minimizing the likelihood of a brumation period. Remarkably, the difference between summer and winter is just 3°C.

Avalability -

From my experience, these geckos are rarely imported, making them a species that very few people have the opportunity to own. Sadly, I’ve yet to find a single specimen available online that isn’t wild-caught. Despite their specialized care needs, they make breathtaking display geckos—ideal for night owls who love admiring their striking beauty after sunset.

References-

Subspecies source -

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/A-phylogeny-and-taxonomy-of-the-Thai-Malay-Geckos-Grismer-Wood/0f16bb80b99faf7b822225410a6b6ebd2bf45169

Images - 

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73942718

By Daderot - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67005739

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135179390

Data - 

https://weatherspark.com/y/149064/Average-Weather-at-Langkawi-International-Airport-Malaysia-Year-Round

Gallery -

Enjoy The Guide, have some feedback, feel free to comment and rate below.