Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have lots of info but some of it contradicts the other stuff so if anyone knows any answers it would be nice to know before i make i dumb mistake ( or lots )

Does a nocternal gecko need UV or incandesent lighting?

Apart from crickets will they eat other stuff like stick insects(i have loads)

Will it get wigged out living in an old snake tank?

How much do they climb, how high a tank?

Whats the ideal hot spot temp and ideal humidity?

Sand is a good substrate for them?

Do they do ok on their own or in pairs or trios?

How do you tell males from females(cos i know their teritorial)

How often do they lay eggs?

Do their tails come off and how long dos it take ot grow back?

Most of these are stupid questions but if i want to make them happy iv got to know before i get one, thanks.

First off you might want to check this out:
http://www.gekkota.com/html/tarentola_mauritanica.html

This will answer alot of your questions.
As for myself I have 3.. I know I have 1 female, 1 male and 1 I do not know..because I cant' afford to have them blood tested. They live together...and I haven't really seen any fighting..they occassionally nip at each other during feeding time, but if you take care during feeding this can be eliminated.
I have a 10 gallon tank Fill with many rocks. I use a sand for substrate, I think they prefer a fine sand, last time the garden center was out, I had to get some playground sand. I'm hoping they get fine sand back in.
I have had them since last.. June.. so about 6 or 7 months. They had babies in Sept.. so they would have laid them not long after being brought here from the pet store.

I use large rocks and small rocks to create shaded areas, and mini cave like areas.
They do not require UV lighting because they are nocturnal and spend all day hiding.. UV lighting would not reach them. I have fed mine crickets and meal worms..they will also eat strawberry baby food. (this is also good if you have babies)

Sexing them reliably will require a blood test.

They are pretty active, I keep them in the computer room opposite end of the room. And they are always running around under the rocks... tonight I stopped to watch them.. and one was sitting on a rock.. he was looking at me, then lept at the glass..stuck there..stared at me for 30 seconds and scurried away..never seen them do that before

They're fairly entertaining..and if you stand still while you watch them.. they'll watch you back.. they're a bit skittish though..so handling them is kinda out.