White-Lined Gecko
Gekko vittatus
Overview
White-lined geckos are medium-sized arboreal geckos from Southeast Asia, featuring distinctive white or yellow lines running the length of their body. They are similar in care to tokay geckos but generally more docile, making them a better choice for keepers wanting a handleable Southeast Asian gecko species.
Ambient Temp
78-85°F (26-29°C)
Basking Spot
88-90°F (31-32°C)
Night Temp
70-75°F (21-24°C)
Humidity
60-70%
UVB
Not required; optional 2-5% UVB beneficial for activity and coloration
Lifespan
10-15 years
Enclosure Sizes by Life Stage
| Life Stage | Minimum Enclosure Size |
|---|---|
| Hatchling0–3 months | 5-gallon deli cup |
| Juvenile3–12 months | 10-gallon (20x10x12") |
| Adult12+ months | 20-gallon long (30x12x12") |
Housing
- Enclosure type
- Vertical glass or screen enclosure; arboreal species requires height and climbing structure
- Substrate
- Coconut fiber, cypress mulch, or paper towels. Can use bioactive substrate with live plants.
- Hides
- Cork bark sections and dense foliage; vertical hiding spots preferred
- Notes
- Minimum 18x18x24" vertical enclosure for adults. Provide branches, bamboo, cork bark, and foliage for climbing. Ensure good ventilation.
Temperature
- Ambient / cool side
- 78-85°F (26-29°C)
- Basking spot
- 88-90°F (31-32°C)
- Nighttime
- 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Heating method
- Low-wattage basking bulb
Humidity & Lighting
- Humidity range
- 60-70%
- Maintenance
- Mist 1-2 times daily, allowing enclosure to partially dry between mistings. Monitor with hygrometer.
- UVB
- Not required; optional 2-5% UVB beneficial for activity and coloration
- Photoperiod
- 12 hours on / 12 hours off
- Lighting notes
- No UVB required but low-level UVB (2-5%) can be beneficial for activity and coloration. Provide day/night photoperiod.
Feeding
- Staple food
- Crickets, dubia roaches
- Variety
- Mealworms; waxworms occasionally
- Frequency
- Adults: every 2-3 days. Juveniles: daily. Offer 3-5 insects per feeding.
- Supplements
- Dust insects with calcium with D3 twice per week and multivitamin once per week.
- Notes
- Insectivore: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, waxworms (occasionally). Prey should be appropriately sized.
Water & Hydration
- Water bowl
- Shallow dish; replace daily; primarily drink misted droplets
- Notes
- Mist daily. Provide water dish but most drinking occurs by licking droplets from surfaces. Change water daily.
Handling
- Disposition
- More docile than tokay geckos but still fast and can be skittish; handle infrequently
- Recommendations
- More docile than tokay geckos but still fast and can be skittish. Handle gently and infrequently. They may vocalize when stressed. Support their body fully during handling.
Common Health Issues
Respiratory infections from incorrect temps/humidity, dehydration, parasites, and retained shed.
Special Notes
White-lined geckos can live 10-15 years. They are nocturnal and make chirping/clicking sounds. More handleable than tokay geckos but still better suited as display animals. Males are territorial. They are less commonly available in the pet trade than tokays. Can drop their tails when stressed but they will regenerate.
Track your White-Lined Gecko with ReptiDex
Track your breeding program, generate pedigrees, and share records with buyers.
Get Started Free