I was asked by @smol-reptile to write a pictus gecko caresheet! This is information based on my experience working with and studying these animals. Do your own research, and consult with experienced keepers regarding the captive husbandry of these animals.
(Photo credit: Derek Vaga)
Paroedura picta (formerly Paroedura pictus) is a small, insectivorous, terrestrial gecko from Madagascar. This gecko has a plethora of common names, including Pictus Gecko, Ocelot Gecko, and Madagascar Ground Gecko, but Pictus Gecko seems to be the most commonly used, with Ocelot Gecko coming up a distant second. Generally, they are a small gecko, rarely reaching 4 inches of snout-vent length or 30 g in weight. A nocturnal animal, they conceal themselves during the day and emerge at night to hunt for insects.
Pictus Geckos live in the leaf litter of Madagascar’s forests. Their coloration aims to conceal them among the dead leaves, being of varying shades of brown and cream, with banding or striping to aid in concealment. Being a terrestrial gecko, their abilities to climb are limited, but they can scale bark and smooth surfaces (such as glass) if motivated.
Captive care of the Pictus Gecko is comparable to that of the slightly larger Fat Tail Gecko. For a single individual of this species, a standard 10-gallon tank is perfectly adequate even as adults; 20-gallon “long” tanks work well to house groups of three or more. These geckos will want to conceal themselves during the day, so secure, numerous hides will be appreciated. At least one of these hides or burrows should be a “humid hide” to allow them to regulate their humidity levels. Visual cover, such as plants, and leaf litter are good forms of enrichment, although these geckos become quite bold at night. A hot spot of 85-90 degrees, provided either through undertank or radiant heat, should be positioned at one end of the enclosure, with the coolest end being approximately room temperature. If radiant heat is used on a tank with a screen top, the screen should be partially covered with cut plexiglass or plastic sheeting to avoid drying out the air.
Pictus Geckos can be maintained on many different substrates, including paper towel, tile, and dirt mix. I prefer a mix of topsoil and sand for my breeding animals, given that it holds heat and moisture well, supports live plants, and allows the females to dig suitable nests to lay their eggs. Pictus are very hardy animals, and terrestrial Paroedura have proven to do well on sandy substrate, eliminating any peripheral worries of impaction. Pictus Geckos are not a burrowing species that require dirt, however, and will do well on any number of substrates.
On a side note, it would be difficult to make a Pictus setup truly bioactive, given that the substrate should not be waterlogged or wet; however, planting is something that can be easily done.
Pictus Geckos should be allowed to regulate their humidity through pre-made burrows and humid hides. The air should not be allowed to become excessively dry. Living in coastal Texas, we have found that our Paroedura have benefited from a daily misting of the enclosure. More mistings might be beneficial in a dry environment.
As a species, Pictus Gecko females tend to “play nicely”. I have never seen a female Pictus injure another animal, and the males do well with their females as well. Groups of females and groups of one male and multiple females can be kept together. Males should not be kept with males, as they will injure each other, and breeding groups should be at least 1.3 when kept together year-round so that the females do not become exhausted from over-breeding. When maintaining groups, care should be taken that all animals are receiving enough food, as one animal tends to be bolder than the other(s) at feeding time.
Reproduction in Captivity
Pictus are the most common and hardiest Paroedura species in captivity, and reproduction is rapid and easily facilitated. Paired females will lay eggs up to every 7-10 days, and lone females will often lay infertile eggs without a male. For this reason, Pictus Geckos have proliferated in captivity. In fact, it is possible to breed a female to death, necessitating caution when maintaining groups.
The eggs of Paroedura species are very thin-shelled, making caution necessary when handling and removing them from the nest site. Incubate the eggs at about 85 degrees in a humid environment, and babies will emerge in approximately 60 days.
At 3-6 months, sex characteristics start to appear. Males tend to be bigger and stouter and have heavier heads, in addition to prominent hemipenal bulges.
In captive-bred individuals, the sex ratio of hatchlings tends to heavily favor males. At least one breeder I know of is experimenting with incubation temperatures to determine if this influences hatchling sex, but no results have been conclusively found.
Color Morphs and Variation
Two “wild-type” pattern morphs exist in captivity: banded and striped. The banded geckos have bands of varying color from the neck area to the tip of the tail. The striped variation has a lengthwise stripe, similar to striped Fat Tail Geckos, and the side banding is often broken up. Some breeders select for increased reds in their animals, but this color form is not widespread. In addition to this, numerous single-gene morphs, such as axanthic, albino, and black-eyed, have been produced. These genes tend to be recessive and are becoming more common.
Pictus gecko eyes are quite large and are often a mix of brown, grey, green, and blue. Some animals have hints of red in their irises.
In general, this species tends to dull with age. Babies are a beautiful red-brown and fade to cream and brown. However, pretty individuals can be found that retain definition/contrast of pattern and lightness of color. These geckos, like many others, can “fire” up and down, though to less effect than animals like crested geckos and Rhacodactylus.
The Pictus Gecko is a plucky species full of personality. They often become accustomed to being fed when the enclosure is opened and run out, chasing the prey with short sprinting bursts, their tail raised into the air. They are attractive for their hardiness, which allows them to be enjoyed by novice keepers, and their size, which allows them to live in a smaller enclosure for their entire lives. Pictus Geckos are readily available and are a good option for people wanting to begin keeping smaller geckos and lizards.
However, some caveats must be noted. Most pictus geckos are skittish and somewhat shy by nature. Though naturally tame individuals exist, only one of the four that I have personally worked with allows me to pick it up and hold it, displaying the tameness of a leopard gecko. That is not to say that tame individuals cannot be found, but the majority are naturally averse to humans. Most will run away from touch; they flee in quick bursts, and while not the fasted gecko, this can make them hard to pick up or corral. Never hold these geckos at any sizable height, as I have noticed that they will jump without fear.
Pictus Geckos are a wonderful, hardy species that has been a joy to own. I recommend them to anyone who wants a pretty gecko, wants to expand into different species, or wants something that will stay small. They are easy to keep and make a great pet or breeding project.
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