🦎 Chahoua Gecko Care Guide

Chahoua Geckos (Mniarogekko chahoua), sometimes called Mossy Prehensile-Tailed Geckos, are fascinating arboreal geckos native to New Caledonia.

They are known for their incredible moss-like camouflage, strong prehensile tail, large feet and inquisitive personalities. They can make fantastic pets for experienced and well-prepared keepers.

Adults commonly reach around 25–30cm (10–12 inches) including the tail.

With correct care, Chahoua Geckos can live for 15–20 years or potentially longer, making them a long-term commitment.

This guide covers the basics you need to keep your Chahoua Gecko happy and healthy.

🏠 Housing & Vivarium

Chahoua Geckos are arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time climbing above ground.

For an adult, we recommend a tall enclosure of at least approximately:

60cm × 45cm × 90cm

Larger enclosures are excellent when correctly furnished and maintained.

The enclosure should include:

• Plenty of climbing branches

• Cork bark

• Vines

• Secure hides

• Dense foliage

• Elevated resting areas

• Suitable substrate

• Water bowl

• Feeding ledges

• Appropriate heating

• UVB lighting

• Digital thermometer

• Digital hygrometer

• Plenty of natural enrichment

The complete enclosure should be set up, tested and running correctly before collecting your Chahoua Gecko.

🌡️ Temperature

Chahoua Geckos generally prefer moderate temperatures and should not be kept excessively hot.

Aim for an overall daytime temperature of approximately:

🌡️ 22–26°C

A slightly warmer area of around:

☀️ 26–28°C

can be provided.

Temperatures should generally be allowed to fall slightly overnight.

Prolonged temperatures above approximately 28–30°C can be dangerous, particularly if the gecko has no cooler area available.

Always provide a temperature gradient so your gecko can choose where it wants to sit.

Use reliable digital thermometers to monitor temperatures.

🔥 Heating

Depending on your home and enclosure temperatures, additional heating may be required.

Suitable heating can include an appropriately positioned overhead heat source.

All heating equipment should be controlled using a suitable thermostat.

Never use uncontrolled heating equipment.

Any heating equipment positioned inside an enclosure must be safely guarded so the gecko cannot come into direct contact with it.

Heat rocks should never be used.

🌙 Night-Time Temperature

A natural reduction in temperature overnight is beneficial.

In many normally heated UK homes, additional overnight heating may not be required.

If your home becomes particularly cold, a suitable lightless heat source controlled by a thermostat can be used.

Avoid bright, red or blue lights overnight.

Your gecko needs a proper period of darkness.

☀️ UVB

We recommend providing appropriate low-level UVB lighting for Chahoua Geckos.

UVB can support natural vitamin D3 production, calcium metabolism and normal behaviour.

Use a suitable linear UVB tube positioned according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

The correct UVB strength and positioning depends on:

• Enclosure height

• Distance from the gecko

• Amount of foliage

• Mesh between the lamp and gecko

• UVB lamp being used

• Manufacturer's recommendations

Provide plenty of shaded areas so your gecko can move away from the UVB whenever it chooses.

Replace UVB lamps according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

⏰ Lighting Cycle

A consistent day/night cycle is important.

Approximately:

☀️ 12 hours light

🌙 12 hours darkness

is a useful general starting point.

Timers make maintaining a consistent routine much easier.

All visible lighting should be switched off overnight.

💧 Humidity

Chahoua Geckos require moderate to relatively high humidity, but the enclosure shouldn't remain permanently wet.

A useful general range is approximately:

💧 60–80%

Humidity should naturally rise following misting and then gradually fall as the enclosure dries.

This wet-and-dry cycle is important.

Constantly saturated conditions combined with poor ventilation can encourage:

• Mould

• Bacterial growth

• Skin problems

• Respiratory problems

Use a reliable digital hygrometer to monitor humidity.

Good ventilation is extremely important.

🌧️ Misting

Lightly mist the enclosure as required to maintain suitable humidity and provide drinking droplets.

Many Chahoua Geckos will lick droplets from:

• Leaves

• Glass

• Branches

• Cork bark

The enclosure should not remain soaking wet continuously.

Allow surfaces to partially dry between misting sessions.

💧 Water

Fresh, clean drinking water should always be available.

Provide a stable water dish, ideally positioned somewhere easily accessible.

Change the water every day or whenever contaminated.

Even if you regularly see your gecko drinking droplets after misting, a water bowl should still be provided.

🌿 Enclosure Furnishing

Chahoua Geckos thrive in a heavily furnished enclosure.

Provide plenty of:

• Cork bark

• Thick branches

• Horizontal perches

• Vertical climbing surfaces

• Vines

• Natural or artificial foliage

• Elevated hides

• Different textures

• Shaded areas

Try to use the whole height and depth of the enclosure, rather than leaving large areas empty.

Chahoua Geckos have excellent climbing abilities and will use surprisingly thick branches and cork tubes.

All decorations must be securely positioned.

🌳 Hides

Provide several secure hiding and resting areas throughout the enclosure.

Cork bark and cork tubes work particularly well.

Ideally provide hides at different:

• Heights

• Temperatures

• Light levels

• Humidity levels

Your gecko should always have somewhere it can retreat and feel secure.

🪵 Substrate

Suitable substrates can include:

• Reptile-safe soil mixtures

• Coco fibre-based substrates

• Suitable tropical substrates

• Bioactive substrates

• Paper towel during quarantine or health monitoring

A naturalistic substrate can help maintain humidity and provide a more natural environment.

Avoid substrates containing:

• Strong chemicals

• Fertilisers

• Pesticides

• Sharp materials

• Strong fragrances

Good drainage is important in heavily planted or bioactive enclosures.

🌱 Bioactive Enclosures

Chahoua Geckos are particularly well suited to naturalistic and bioactive enclosures.

A bioactive enclosure may contain:

• Live plants

• Natural substrate

• Leaf litter

• Springtails

• Isopods

• Cork bark

• Branches

However, bioactive does not mean maintenance-free.

You must still monitor:

• Waste

• Humidity

• Temperatures

• Plant condition

• Mould

• Water

• Overall hygiene

A bioactive enclosure should be established properly before introducing your gecko.

🍌 Chahoua Gecko Diet

Chahoua Geckos are omnivorous.

Their diet can include both fruit-based foods and animal protein.

A high-quality complete gecko diet designed for New Caledonian geckos can form an important part of their diet.

Suitable flavours and brands can be rotated to provide variety.

Prepare the food according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Remove old prepared food before it spoils.

🦗 Live Food

Chahoua Geckos generally benefit from appropriate live insects.

Suitable options can include:

• Crickets

• Locusts

• Dubia roaches

• Calci worms

• Other appropriately sized feeder insects

Live food provides nutrition as well as valuable hunting and enrichment opportunities.

Offer variety rather than relying entirely on one insect species.

📏 Correct Insect Size

Live insects should be appropriately sized for your gecko.

Avoid feeding insects that are excessively large.

If you're unsure what size live food is suitable, ask us at Roxy's Pet Shop.

🥕 Gut Loading Live Food

Feeder insects should be properly gut-loaded before feeding.

Gut loading means feeding your insects a nutritious diet before they are offered to your gecko.

Healthy, well-fed insects provide better nutrition.

Never use wild-caught insects from areas where pesticides, weed killers or other chemicals may have been used.

🦴 Calcium & Supplements

Calcium is extremely important for Chahoua Geckos.

Live insects should be appropriately dusted with a suitable reptile calcium supplement.

The exact supplementation routine depends on:

• Diet

• Age

• Frequency of live feeding

• UVB provision

• Supplement being used

Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

More supplementation is not automatically better.

If you're unsure which calcium or vitamin products to use, please ask us.

🦴 Metabolic Bone Disease

Like other reptiles, Chahoua Geckos can develop Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) when calcium, vitamin D3, UVB, diet or husbandry are inadequate.

Signs can include:

• Weakness

• Trembling

• Soft jaw

• Swollen limbs

• Difficulty climbing

• Abnormal posture

• Deformed bones

Correct diet + calcium + UVB + husbandry are extremely important.

If you suspect MBD, contact a reptile/exotics-experienced vet.

🍌 Fresh Fruit

Complete commercially prepared gecko diets are generally preferable to relying heavily on fresh fruit.

Fruit should not simply replace a properly balanced complete gecko diet.

Avoid feeding large quantities of sugary fruit.

❌ Foods to Avoid

Never feed:

• Avocado

• Rhubarb

• Onion

• Processed human food

• Chocolate

• Dairy products

• Dog or cat food

• Mouldy or spoiled food

• Wild insects exposed to pesticides

• Fireflies

If you're unsure whether something is safe, check before feeding it.

✋ Handling

Chahoua Geckos can become relatively tolerant of calm handling, but individuals vary.

Allow a newly purchased gecko time to settle before beginning regular handling.

When handling:

• Move slowly

• Allow the gecko to walk onto your hands

• Support its body

• Keep handling sessions short initially

• Handle close to a safe surface

• Never grab or squeeze

• Supervise children carefully

Chahoua Geckos can jump unexpectedly, so always be prepared.

🐒 Prehensile Tail

One of the most interesting features of a Chahoua Gecko is its prehensile tail.

They use the tail to grip branches and provide additional support while climbing.

Never:

• Pull the tail

• Restrain the gecko by its tail

• Allow children to grab the tail

Treat the tail as an important part of the gecko's climbing system.

🦎 Tail Loss

Chahoua Geckos can drop their tail if severely frightened, stressed or injured.

Unlike Crested Geckos, Chahoua Geckos are capable of regenerating a lost tail, although the replacement may look different from the original.

Tail loss should still be avoided wherever possible.

If your gecko drops its tail, keep the enclosure particularly clean and monitor the area carefully.

Seek veterinary advice if you notice swelling, discharge or other signs of infection.

🪶 Shedding

Chahoua Geckos regularly shed their skin as they grow.

They often eat the shed skin, so you may rarely see a complete shed.

Signs of an approaching shed can include:

• Duller colour

• Pale or cloudy-looking skin

• Increased hiding

• Reduced activity

Correct humidity helps normal shedding.

Never pull attached shed from your gecko.

👣 Check Toes & Tail

Check regularly for retained shed around:

• Toes

• Feet

• Tail

• Limbs

Retained shed can restrict circulation if allowed to build up.

Repeated shedding problems can indicate an issue with humidity, hydration or general husbandry.

🎨 Colour Changes

Don't be surprised if your Chahoua Gecko looks different at different times of the day.

They can alter their colour and pattern intensity depending on:

• Time of day

• Temperature

• Activity

• Stress

• Environment

Their incredible mottled appearance helps them blend into bark, moss and lichen.

♂️♀️ How to Tell the Sex

Sexing a Chahoua Gecko can be difficult when they are young. The differences usually become much clearer as the gecko grows and reaches maturity.

🦎 Males

Mature males generally have:

• Noticeable hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail
• A broader, more pronounced area immediately behind the vent
• More obvious pre-anal pores when examined closely
• A generally broader head and more robust appearance in some individuals

🦎 Females

Mature females generally have:

• No prominent hemipenal bulges
• A flatter, smoother area at the base of the tail
• Less obvious pre-anal pores
• No clear paired bulges immediately behind the vent

🔍 Hemipenal Bulges Are a Good Clue

One of the easiest ways to identify a mature male Chahoua Gecko is by looking at the underside around the base of the tail.

Mature males develop noticeable paired hemipenal bulges just behind the vent. Females generally have a much flatter appearance in this area.

Pre-anal pores can also help with sexing, particularly when viewed closely.

⚠️ Young Chahoua Geckos

Young Chahoua Geckos can be difficult to sex accurately.

Some males may begin showing pores before obvious hemipenal bulges develop, but this shouldn't always be considered a guarantee in a very young animal.

⚠️ Please Note

Sex cannot always be guaranteed in young Chahoua Geckos. If purchasing a juvenile, its sex may only become obvious as it grows and matures.

🌙 Nocturnal Behaviour

Chahoua Geckos are primarily crepuscular/nocturnal, so they may be relatively quiet during the daytime and become much more active during the evening and night.

You may see your gecko:

• Climbing

• Hunting

• Exploring

• Feeding

• Moving between branches

after the lights go out.

Sleeping or hiding during much of the daytime is generally normal.

🧹 Cleaning

Good hygiene is essential.

Every day:

• Check temperatures

• Check humidity

• Check your gecko

• Refresh water

• Remove waste

• Remove spoiled food

• Remove dead or uneaten feeder insects

Regularly:

• Clean food dishes

• Clean water dishes

• Clean enclosure surfaces

• Remove contaminated substrate

• Clean decorations as required

• Thoroughly clean the enclosure when necessary

Use a reptile-safe disinfectant and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Never spray cleaning products directly onto your gecko.

⚖️ Monitoring Weight

Regular weighing is an excellent way of monitoring your Chahoua Gecko's health.

Use accurate digital scales and keep a record.

Young geckos should show appropriate growth over time.

Adults should maintain a healthy body condition.

Unexplained or continuing weight loss should be investigated.

🩺 Health

A healthy Chahoua Gecko should generally:

• Have clear eyes

• Have healthy skin

• Grip strongly

• Climb normally

• Maintain a healthy body condition

• Feed appropriately

• Breathe quietly

• Produce normal waste

• Become appropriately active during its normal activity period

Learn what is normal for your individual gecko.

⚠️ Signs to Watch For

Contact a reptile/exotics-experienced vet if you notice:

• Significant weight loss

• Persistent refusal to eat

• Severe lethargy

• Weak grip

• Trembling

• Swollen or soft jaw

• Difficulty climbing

• Persistent shedding problems

• Swollen or closed eyes

• Discharge from eyes, nose or mouth

• Wheezing

• Open-mouth breathing

• Persistent diarrhoea

• Blood in waste

• Prolapse

• Wounds

• Burns

• Abnormal swelling

Reptiles can hide illness, so don't wait until your gecko becomes severely unwell.

🦎 Can Chahoua Geckos Live Together?

For pet homes, we recommend housing Chahoua Geckos individually unless you have appropriate experience and a specific reason for keeping compatible animals together.

Cohabitation can lead to:

• Stress

• Bullying

• Competition for food

• Competition for preferred resting areas

• Biting

• Injuries

• Unwanted breeding

Individual housing makes monitoring feeding, weight, waste and general health much easier.

🦠 Hygiene & Salmonella

Like other reptiles, Chahoua Geckos can naturally carry Salmonella bacteria without appearing ill.

Always:

• Wash your hands after handling

• Wash your hands after enclosure maintenance

• Keep reptile equipment away from food preparation areas

• Supervise children's hygiene

• Clean contaminated surfaces appropriately

Never kiss your gecko or allow it near your face or food.

⚠️ Household Dangers

Keep your Chahoua Gecko away from:

• Aerosol sprays

• Air fresheners

• Cigarette and vape smoke

• Strong cleaning fumes

• Paint and solvent fumes

• Insecticides

• Fly sprays

• Scented candles

• Heavy fragrances

Never use household insecticides around your gecko or its feeder insects.

🏡 Bringing Your New Chahoua Gecko Home

Before collecting your Chahoua Gecko, its enclosure should already be:

• Fully set up

• Running correctly

• At suitable temperatures

• Providing appropriate UVB

• Maintaining suitable humidity

• Well ventilated

• Heavily furnished

• Supplied with fresh water

• Ready with appropriate food and supplements

When your gecko arrives:

• Allow it time to settle

• Keep unnecessary handling to a minimum initially

• Maintain stable temperatures

• Maintain the normal day/night cycle

• Offer familiar suitable food

• Monitor eating and waste

A newly introduced Chahoua Gecko may initially hide more or eat less while adjusting to its new surroundings.

👨👩👧 Is a Chahoua Gecko Right for You?

Chahoua Geckos are fantastic reptiles, but they require specialist care.

Before buying one, remember that they:

• Can live for 15–20 years or potentially longer

• Require a tall, well-furnished enclosure

• Need appropriate temperatures

• Must not be allowed to overheat

• Require appropriate humidity and good ventilation

• Benefit from suitable UVB

• Need a balanced complete gecko diet

• Benefit from suitable live insects

• Require calcium supplementation

• Need plenty of climbing opportunities

• Require regular cleaning and monitoring

• May require specialist veterinary treatment

• Need suitable care whenever you're away

Plan for the adult animal, not simply the smaller juvenile you're bringing home.

❤️ The Most Important Things to Remember

A happy, healthy Chahoua Gecko needs a tall enclosure, plenty of climbing opportunities, appropriate temperatures, suitable humidity, good ventilation, appropriate UVB, a balanced diet and plenty of natural enrichment.

Remember:

🌡️ Don't allow your Chahoua Gecko to overheat.

💧 Maintain suitable humidity while allowing the enclosure to dry between misting.

🌿 Provide lots of branches, cork and foliage.

☀️ Provide appropriate UVB.

🍌 Feed a high-quality complete gecko diet.

🦗 Offer appropriately sized, gut-loaded live insects.

🦴 Use appropriate calcium supplementation.

🏠 Give your gecko plenty of vertical space and enrichment.

Have the complete enclosure set up and running correctly before bringing your Chahoua Gecko home.

🦎 Roxy's Pet Shop

Need help with your Chahoua Gecko?

Whether you're choosing an enclosure, heating, thermostat, UVB, substrate, cork bark, branches, foliage, food, calcium, supplements or live insects, please ask us. No question is too small or silly – we'd much rather you ask.

We recommend having your complete setup ready and running correctly before collecting your Chahoua Gecko.

Roxy's Pet Shop
Bloxwich High Street, WS3 3LA
☎️ 01922 492521
🌐 roxyspetshop.co.uk

This care guide provides general husbandry information and does not replace veterinary advice. Requirements can vary depending on the individual animal, its age, enclosure and equipment used. If you are concerned about your Chahoua Gecko's health, contact a qualified reptile/exotics-experienced veterinary professional.