The Sarasinorum Gecko is a popular choice for reptile pet starters. These cute, lively creatures, with their large, curious eyes are sure to charm and provide amusing hours of interaction and observation.
Healthy pet geckos are alert and adventurous. And these smaller types of lizards take different colors during the day. Caring for your own gecko is generally not difficult. Read on to find out how.
Table of Contents
Sarasinorum Gecko Facts
- Experience level: (Beginner to Advanced)
- Family: Diplodactylidae
- Scientific name: Correlophus sarasinorum
- Other Names: Sarasin’s Giant Gecko, Suras Gecko
- Average adult size: Between 3.5 to 5.5 inches (snout to vent),
- Lifespan: 15 years on average
- Clutch Size: 2 eggs
- Egg Incubation Period: 60 to 90 days
- Food: Insects and some fruits
- Average Temperature: 78°H/65°L
- Humidity: 60 to 80%
- UVB lighting: optional
- Average price range: $150 – $300
- Conservation Status: “Vulnerable to Extinction”
The Sarasinorum Gecko or Suras Gecko is a nocturnal and arboreal lizard. It belongs to the Family Diplodactylidae and Genus Correlophus.
It is native to Province Sud, New Caledonia and resides among its forests and shrublands. It is seen in a few isolated locations across the far south (Grande Terre). The populations are scattered, and small isolated areas in the forests remain.
Elevations are between 20m to 600m. Sarasinorum Geckos are spotted within an area of 900 km² but the actual area of occupancy is estimated at less than 100 km².
Some small differences between wild Sarasinorum Geckos in Mt Koghis and those in the Prony district may be observed.
Suras Geckos are brown to grayish in color. Some have white spots, which is a recessive trait. Others have a white V-pattern, a more dominant trait.
These have large eyes. The bodies are usually plump. They have prehensile tails that grow back.
They love to scale up leaves and branches. You can often spot them sleeping face up on top of plants or small trees.
During the day, it shelters itself in the crevices and holes of trees. It is active and goes foraging at night on tree branches and trunks.
Sarasinorum Gecko Care Sheet
Sarasinorum Gecko Habitat
Replicating natural scenery and conditions found in forests and shrublands will make your new pet reptile feel at home in its new enclosure.
Enclosure
You can keep up to a pair suitably in a 20-gallon, vertical terrarium. Singles and juveniles may be housed in plastic containers then move on to an average tank like the Zilla Vertical Tropical Kit, which measures 12x12x18.
The Sarasinorum Gecko loves to climb so design the terrarium or enclosure with some branches, leaves, plants and small trees.
You can combine fake and artificial plants. Provide hiding places like tree logs, or caves. Remember to provide screening to keep your pet securely confined. These can climb on glass walls.
Clean the enclosure regularly to prevent odor and bacteria build-up. You may use this time to let your pet gecko soak in a tub nearby, under your watchful care, as you clear the enclosure of food particles and fecal matter.
Substrate
Sarasinorum Geckos love hiding under loose leaves and barks. You may also add in some chips. In the wild, they favor humid forests so choose a substrate that’s more natural and promotes a humid environment.
Temperature
Keep temperatures between 70-78°F during the day. Maintain night time temperatures between 65-70°F.
A heating pad like Zarco Reptile Heat Pad may be useful. It is for use under tank and conducts heat directly to the substrate and enclosure floor.
Use a thermostat like BN-LINK Digital Heat Mat Thermostat Controller to ensure a consistent temperature and to prevent overheating. Some combo products also include a heat pad and thermostat in one package.
Humidity
Keep humidity levels between 60 to 80% and observe a humidity cycle. You can buy a Exo Terra Terrarium Hydrometer to better monitor the conditions. You should also let the enclosure dry out for a short while in the day time but remember to mist it up once or twice a day.
Lighting
Natural or room lighting may be sufficient for this nocturnal creature. If MBD is a concern, you may consider using a UVB bulb for its basking lamp. This lizard does not need too much exposure, however. Also, 23-watt bulbs or lesser may suffice.
Sarasinorum Gecko Feeding
C. sarasinorum feeds on insects and fruit. They are voracious feeders. They also love to hunt so treat them with live feeds from time to time.
You may vary the diet with crickets, mealworms, roaches, wax worms, and more. Offer fruit portions as well: bananas, watermelons, papaya, etc. Balance your pet’s nutrition by dusting feeds with powdered Calcium plus active Vitamin D3.
Make sure they have enough water intake. They drink flowing water from tree leaves. So consider installing a waterfall like the Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium Waterfall Kit. You can also moisten leaves regularly and let the collected water fall down.
Temperament
Fast and alert, the Sarasin Gecko can be aloof and jittery. Once it begins to trust you and the new home, it calms and becomes friendly. And you can even feed it by hand.
The Sarasin geckos are agreeable pets. They will become tame to their owners and regular handlers. Newly arrived pets may be skittish at first, so let them adjust to the new enclosure and to you.
Let it pace itself during handling. It shouldn’t be a stressful time for your pet gecko. Make it short and enjoyable on the onset. Your pet will like to be held by you in due time.
Offer your hand or arm for your pet to walk onto. Don’t grab it by the tail.
Lifespan
The lifespan for Sarasinorum Geckos is 15 years. Some can live longer than that.
Common Health Concerns (Issues/Solutions)
Sarasinorum Geckos are generally hardy lizards with proper care. Metabolic Bone Disease could be a concern because the species is nocturnal.
And being captive breeds, the exposure to natural sunlight is even more limited. The use of nutritional supplementation is highly recommended.
Overheating may cause shedding and breathing problems so monitor enclosure temperatures closely. It may also be unwise to place the enclosure under direct sunlight.
In the event of a problem, gently use a Q-tip to help your pet Gecko shed. Otherwise, it may develop circulatory problems.
Fungal infections may also be a problem if the enclosure does not get dry from time to time.
Pricing and Availability
You can buy a Sarasinorum Gecko for $150-350.
Conservation/Threats?
As of its last assessment in August 2010, the population is vulnerable to extinction on a global scale. The current population is in decline and the adult Sarasinorum Geckos are declining in number.
The wild population is severely fragmented, primarily due to a reduction in the size and quality of its native habitat.
Threats exist. Mining in the southern parts of its range, logging, and wildfires in shrublands are major causes of concern.
Other species pose threat. Deers, pigs, cats, and rodents bring damage to their surroundings. The introduction of the ant species, Wasmannia auropunctata, is also posing problems.
The Sarasinorum Gecko is also vulnerable to illegal capture and trafficking.
Conclusion
The Sarasinorum Gecko is a good choice, especially for first-time reptile carers. It’s easy to tame and quite simple to care for. Healthy and well-adjusted pets are calm and docile. Have you tried caring for a lizard, like the Sarasinorum Gecko? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share them in the comments below.