Care Guide - Mourning geckos

Can they be Cohabilitated?

Yes, they should always be housed together for their overall well-being. These animals coexist harmoniously and establish a natural dominance hierarchy within the terrarium community.

What size do they get? -

Morning Geckos are a petite species, typically growing to just 9-10 cm in length. Unlike many of the larger gecko species commonly kept by hobbyists, these charming creatures remain among the smallest in the reptile world.

When will i see them?

Morning geckos are cathemeral, meaning their activity occurs irregularly throughout both day and night. From my observations, they often spend their days relatively still, occasionally chirping to one another. However, their energy levels noticeably increase around 7-8 PM, as they begin exploring their enclosure and moving actively across the glass, remaining lively well into the night.

Costs to keep

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

Distribution:

These animals are found across a broad range but are most prevalent in South Asian regions, with Indonesia and other nations in the South Pacific serving as key habitats. Listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List due to stable population numbers, their wide distribution makes them readily accessible.

Image captured from iNaturalist

Here are two examples of where they can be found. These areas feature lush tropical forests teeming with dense, vibrant flora.

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

Setup Requirements

The charm of this species lies in its remarkable adaptability—you can begin with a compact enclosure and gradually upgrade to a medium-sized one as needed. Glass terrariums are an excellent choice for these geckos, providing clear visibility to observe their behavior before opening the enclosure for feeding. For smaller setups, I recommend a top-opening terrarium, as it offers better access and makes it easier to monitor your geckos from above. This is particularly beneficial since these geckos are notorious escape artists.

A great starting option is a 20x20x30cm glass terrarium, which can comfortably house up to three geckos. As they grow, consider upgrading to a 45x45x60cm terrarium or larger—when it comes to space, bigger is always better! Just be sure to create a lush, well-decorated environment with plenty of plants and hiding spots. These geckos love to stay hidden and rest during the day, so a thoughtfully designed enclosure will help them thrive.

Substrate Options and Décor

Selecting the right substrate is key to maintaining optimal humidity levels throughout the day. A well-balanced blend of 40% coco coir and 60% sedge peat is highly recommended. Sedge peat is superb at retaining water within a compact space, while coco coir brings an airy texture, helping to hold moisture and release it gradually. Together, this mix ensures consistent humidity, minimizing the need for constant misting.

This combination also works wonderfully for live plants. The nutrient-rich sedge peat promotes healthy plant growth, while the coco coir's light, breathable structure creates an ideal rooting environment for humidity-loving plants. As an alternative, you can opt for Crestie Life, which offers similar water retention benefits. Although slightly pricier, Crestie Life is a more eco-friendly option compared to sedge peat.

For the best results, apply the substrate at a depth of 3-5 inches. This supports effective moisture retention and provides ample space for plants to root and flourish.

Heating and lighting- 

These geckos don't require excessive heat. They thrive in basking temperatures of around 26-30°C, which can be easily achieved using an 8W UVB bulb (more on that shortly). Toward the cooler end of their enclosure, aim to maintain a temperature of around 20°C. Keeping these temperature ranges consistent ensures proper digestion and overall well-being for your Geckos.

UVB lighting doesn’t need to be excessively powerful. A T5 8W strip light positioned on top, providing a UVI range of 1.0–3.0, is more than adequate. Avoid using hood fixtures for UVB bulbs, as they often distribute UV light inconsistently and inefficiently.

Below is the average high and low temperature in Weligama, located in the southern region of Sri Lanka, which falls within the natural range of Mourning geckos. As you can see, there is minimal difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Ideally, these geckos should be kept at a minimum temperature of around 24°C, with occasional dips to 21-22°C to replicate hiding spots with slightly cooler ambient conditions. A basking spot should not exceed 30°C. Seasonal variations in Weligama are negligible, so there’s little need to account for any significant changes throughout the year.

Diet and Nutrition

Mourning geckos have simple dietary needs, but maintaining a proper feeding schedule and consistent misting is essential for their health. Below is a list of recommended foods:

• Small crickets (as adults, only occasionally)
• Fruit flies (both small and larger varieties)
• Calci worms
• Crested Gecko Diet (CGD)
• Fruits (these can also be dusted and placed at the bottom of a bioactive enclosure for invertebrates to consume)

Feed your geckos every other day. Their diet should primarily consist of insects fed three times a week, while Crested Gecko Diet can be offered twice a week. Be sure to remove the CGD after 24 hours to prevent mold growth.

Example feeding schedule:

• Monday: Fruit flies
• Tuesday: No feeding
• Wednesday: Crested Gecko Diet
• Thursday: Fruit flies
• Friday: No feeding
• Saturday: Fruit flies
• Sunday: Crested Gecko Diet

Feel free to incorporate other foods into this rotation. The schedule does not need to be strictly followed—observe your geckos and adjust as needed. A varied diet will help ensure they remain happy and healthy.

To provide additional hydration, you can place a shallow water bowl at the substrate level. Refill it while misting, as the water will gradually evaporate throughout the day. Mourning geckos primarily drink droplets from leaves, but they may also use the bowl, so it offers a convenient backup source of water when the leaves dry out.

Misting is a daily requirement for this species. Mist at least once per day—just enough to maintain stable humidity levels and keep the substrate slightly damp to the touch. Avoid over-misting, but ensure the enclosure provides the moisture your geckos need to thrive.

Humidity Requirements: Maintaining proper humidity is crucial for this species. Daily misting, at least once a day, is recommended. However, avoid overdoing it—just enough misting to keep the humidity stable throughout the day and ensure the substrate feels slightly damp to the touch is sufficient. Aim for a humidity range of 70-90%. Looking at weather data from Sri Lanka via Weather Spark, we can observe that most days are described as muggy, oppressive, and very humid. This aligns well with the recommended humidity levels for this species. In terms of rainfall, Sri Lanka experiences two peaks: a smaller one from April through June, with rain roughly every other day, and a higher peak in November, when rain occurs about 4 days out of every 7. That said, this species is highly adaptable to a variety of environments due to its wide range. Therefore, missing an occasional misting or not sticking to a rigid misting schedule is unlikely to cause significant issues in the long run.

Behaviors

Despite their small size, this species exhibits a surprisingly wide range of behaviors, both socially and in response to their environment.

Socially, they are highly interactive creatures, even establishing a clear pecking order within their group. Communication among them is fascinating to observe, as they use chirping sounds and tail wagging to interact. You might even witness them engaging in territorial disputes, competing for specific areas within their enclosure.

At night, their coloration undergoes dramatic changes compared to the daytime. For instance, I’ve observed one of my geckos turn nearly pitch black during the day, only to transform into a speckled green pattern at night. While I’m unsure if this shift is triggered by light levels, darkness, or perhaps a stress response, it strongly correlates with their natural day-night cycle.

Day and Night Cycle - Many of these geckos inhabit regions in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where the natural day and night cycle varies slightly depending on the location. To keep your geckos comfortable and stress-free, maintaining a consistent 12-hour light and dark cycle each day is ideal. Below, I’ve provided an example of the yearly day and night cycle from Weligama, a coastal town in southern Sri Lanka. As you’ll notice, there isn’t a significant difference in daylight hours between summer and winter in this region.

Common Health Issues:

Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): This condition is caused by a lack of UVB lighting and insufficient vitamin D3 supplementation. It can lead to poor growth and skeletal deformities. Fortunately, MBD is preventable with proper UVB exposure and a well-balanced diet.

Shedding Issues: Often linked to prolonged periods of low humidity, shedding problems can be minimized by maintaining a consistent and effective misting schedule to ensure adequate moisture levels.

Cleaning -

Cleaning the enclosures of these animals can be particularly challenging due to their small size and speed. While spot cleaning, it is crucial to always keep track of their location to prevent any escapes. For this reason, I recommend maintaining a bioactive enclosure with a variety of microfauna to help keep the space naturally clean for longer periods.

If you need to completely clean out the enclosure, I suggest doing this in a bathroom where you can seal off all potential escape routes, such as vents or gaps. Place a plug in the bath or shower drain and use the tub as a backup containment area in case an escape does occur. Keep a plastic cup handy for each animal so you can safely secure them if they manage to get out of the terrarium.

Carefully remove each piece of décor from the substrate and clean as needed, paying special attention to the bottom few centimeters where they often defecate. As you find each gecko, place it into a separate plastic cup for safekeeping. Once the enclosure is empty, thoroughly clean the terrarium using soap, an antibacterial solution, or D10 disinfectant. Be sure to rinse everything with water after five minutes to remove any residue from the cleaning agents.

After cleaning, add fresh substrate, return the décor to the enclosure, and then reintroduce the geckos.

This added complexity is one of the main reasons I’ve rated them higher in difficulty. If you’re not prepared to handle this level of care, these may not be the best exotic pets for you.

Brumation

These geckos do not undergo a brumation period, thanks to the consistently stable climate temperatures in their natural habitats.

Availability:

These creatures are easy to find and affordable, thanks to their parthenogenic nature. Typically, you can purchase one for around £10–15. However, it is crucial to keep them in groups, as they are highly social animals. Many stores offer deals, such as three for £25, giving you great value depending on where you shop. While they are inexpensive, it's important to remember that these are living beings. Like any other species featured on this site, they deserve responsible ownership. Be sure to have a plan for managing the eggs they will produce when kept in groups of three or more.

It’s worth noting that they are often used in the hobby as feeders for certain snake species. As such, some people keep them exclusively for this purpose.

References-

Gallery -

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