Mourning Gecko Info, Care & Habitat Set-Up for Beginners

Introduction

Mourning geckos (Lepidodactylus lugubris) are tiny, parthenogenetic geckos native to coastal regions across the Indo-Pacific. They are one of the most rewarding micro-gecko species available to keep as an exotic pet— active during the day and evening, communal, easy to feed, and prolific breeders. Their small size and low maintenance needs make them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced keepers alike.

Species Overview

  • Scientific Name: Lepidodactylus lugubris
  • Adult Size: 3–3.5 inches (7.5–9 cm) total length
  • Lifespan: 5–10 years in captivity
  • Origin: Indo-Pacific (Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands)
  • Reproduction: Parthenogenetic — all-female species that reproduces without males
  • Activity: Crepuscular to diurnal (most active at dawn, dusk, and daytime)
  • Difficulty: Beginner-friendly


Enclosure

Mourning geckos are arboreal and need vertical space to climb. A bioactive or naturalistic setup is highly recommended — it keeps humidity stable, looks beautiful, and the geckos thrive in it. Mourning geckos are communal and should not be kept alone.

  • Minimum size (2-3 geckos): 12" x 12" x 18" (tall enclosure)
  • Recommended size (small group of 4-6): 12" x 12" x 24" or larger
  • Enclosure type: Front-opening glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate terrarium with a mesh top for ventilation

Substrate

A bioactive substrate mix retains moisture, supports live plants, and allows the geckos' to thrive in a naturalistic habitat.

  • Use a drainage layer (leca/clay balls) at the bottom, topped with a mesh barrier, then 3–4 inches of a tropical substrate mix.
  • Coconut fiber, organic topsoil, and sphagnum moss blends work well.

👉 TropicalBase Terrarium Mix — ideal tropical substrate for mourning gecko bioactive setups.

Décor & Enrichment

Mourning geckos are bold and curious — they will use every inch of a well-decorated enclosure. Aim for dense coverage with plants, cork, and climbing surfaces.

  • Cork bark: Flat pieces and rounds for climbing and hiding
  • Live or artificial plants: Pothos, bromeliads, ficus pumila, and other tropical plants hold humidity and provide cover
  • Magnetic ledges or bamboo tubes: Great for egg-laying sites
  • Leaf litter: Magnolia or oak leaves on the substrate surface for naturalistic cover

👉 Reptile Cork Bark Tubes - provide dark spaces for mourning geckos to lay eggs and hide
👉 Tradescantia Zebrina Purple- a perfect plant for bioactive terrariums

Temperature

Mourning geckos do not require supplemental heating in most homes, making them very low-cost to maintain. Although, when given the opportunity, they have been observed basking.

  • Ideal range: 72–80°F (22–27°C)
  • Nighttime low: Can tolerate down to 65°F (18°C)
  • Avoid: Sustained temperatures above 85°F — they are sensitive to heat

If your home runs cool, a low-wattage LED light on a timer can provide gentle ambient warmth without overheating the enclosure. You can also use a heat pad with a thermostat attached to the rear or side of your tank as well.

👉Carbon Film Heat Mat with Digital Thermostat for Reptiles

Humidity

As a tropical species, mourning geckos need consistent humidity to stay healthy and hydrated.

  • Target humidity: 60–80%
  • Method: Mist one side of the enclosure once or twice daily, allowing the other side to dry out between mistings. This creates a humidity gradient.
  • Live plants and a bioactive substrate will help maintain stable humidity naturally.

👉 Compact Terrarium Misting — perfect for daily misting of small enclosures.
👉 Heavy-Duty Terrarium Pressure Sprayer— ideal if you're maintaining larger or multiple enclosures.

Lighting

Mourning geckos benefit from a consistent 12-hour light/dark cycle. While they don't require UVB, low-level UVB or a full-spectrum LED can support plant growth and the geckos' overall wellbeing.

  • Use a timer to maintain a consistent photoperiod year-round.
  • Avoid direct sunlight on the enclosure — it can cause dangerous temperature spikes.

👉Jungle Dawn LED Light for Bioactive Terrariums

Diet & Feeding

Mourning geckos are primarily frugivores in the wild and thrive on frugivore gecko diets supplemented with small live insects. Most diets produced by Repashy, Gargeer, and Pangea are complete diets for Crested Geckos, Gargoyle Geckos, and Mourning Geckos

Meal Replacement Powder (Primary Diet)

Offer MRP in a small shallow dish 3–4 times per week. Replace every 24–36 hours to prevent spoilage.

Live Insects (Supplemental)

Offer small live insects 1–2 times per week to stimulate natural hunting behavior and add nutritional variety.

  • Best options: Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster or D. hydei), small crickets (1/8"), and springtails
  • Dust insects with a calcium + D3 supplement before feeding

Water

Mourning geckos drink water droplets from leaves and enclosure walls after misting. They rarely drink from standing water dishes, but a very shallow bottle cap of fresh water can be offered as a backup. Ensure water is dechlorinated or use filtered water.

Handling

Mourning geckos are fast, small, and fragile — they are best kept as display animals rather than frequent handling pets. That said, they are bold and curious and will often approach the glass to investigate. If you do handle them, do so low to the ground and allow them to walk between hands rather than gripping them.

Breeding

One of the most exciting aspects of mourning geckos is that they are parthenogenetic — every individual is female and capable of reproducing without a male. A single gecko can lay fertile eggs.

  • Egg laying: Females lay 2 eggs at a time, typically glued to cork bark, bamboo tubes, or the enclosure walls. Eggs are hard-shelled and white.
  • Incubation: Eggs incubate at room temperature (72–80°F) for 60–90 days. In a bioactive setup, eggs can often be left in place to hatch naturally.
  • Hatchlings: Tiny (under 1 inch) and fully independent at birth. They can be raised in the colony or separated into a smaller grow-out enclosure.
  • Tip: Provide bamboo tubes or cork rounds as dedicated egg-laying sites — females strongly prefer enclosed, dark spaces.

Health & Common Issues

  • Stuck shed: Usually caused by low humidity. Increase misting frequency and ensure the enclosure has a humid hide or moist moss area.
  • Weight loss / lethargy: Check temperatures (too hot or too cold), review diet freshness, and rule out parasites if the gecko was wild-caught.
  • Egg binding: Rare but possible. Ensure females always have access to a calcium source and a suitable egg-laying site.
  • Mites: Keep the enclosure clean and avoid introducing wild-caught insects. Springtails in a bioactive setup help control mite populations naturally.

Quick-Reference Care Sheet

  • Enclosure: 12x12x18" minimum, tall/vertical
  • Temperature: 72–80°F; avoid above 85°F
  • Humidity: 60–80%; mist daily
  • Lighting: 12-hour cycle; low-level full-spectrum LED
  • Diet: CGD/MRP 3–4x/week + fruit flies 1–2x/week
  • Lifespan: 5–10 years
  • Breeding: Parthenogenetic; 2 eggs per clutch; 60–90 day incubation

Conclusion

Thank you for reading this article on Mourning Gecko Care. If you have any questions, please contact us at our email address: scholarlyexotics@gmail.com; we will respond back as soon as possible!

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