{"product_id":"beaded-gecko","title":"Beaded Gecko | Lucasium damaeum","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall, quietly charming and named for the chain of bead-like scales down its back, the Beaded Gecko is a nocturnal sand-dweller from Australia's arid interior. An active little burrower, it rewards patient keepers who enjoy watching rather than handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNatural origin for this listing is the arid and semi-arid sandy country of inland Australia, often among spinifex. There it shelters in burrows by day and forages open ground between tussocks at night. The enclosure should recreate that with a deep sand or sand-loam base for digging, scattered spinifex or hardy cover, and a dry surface with one slightly damp burrow zone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy specimen is reddish-brown above with a pale, bead-like vertebral line and rows of light blotches down the flanks, over slender limbs and a soft-scaled body. Adult size is generally 10–12 cm total length, so the animal should never be purchased only for its current size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as an active, shy burrower that dislikes handling. House singly or as a compatible male and female pair; two males will fight and should never be housed together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as an insectivore; small dusted crickets, appropriately sized roaches, and other small invertebrates, with termites relished when available. Offer food every two to three nights, dusting with calcium and a vitamin D3 supplement at most feeds and gut-loading feeders beforehand. Remove uneaten insects overnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA single adult needs a minimum floor space around 45 × 30 cm, with 60 × 45 cm or larger recommended. Provide a warm end of 30–32 °C by day and a cooler end in the low-to-mid 20s, with a natural night drop. Low-level UVB is beneficial though not essential for this nocturnal species. Keep ambient humidity low but maintain one damp burrow or hide so the gecko can regulate moisture. Use deep sand for burrowing, secure hides at both ends, and a shallow water dish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding follows a cooler, drier winter rest. Females lay small clutches of two soft-shelled eggs, often repeated across a season, incubated at around 28–30 °C. Breeding is achievable but not expected for most keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLucasium damaeum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeaded Gecko\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArid and semi-arid inland Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–12 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShy, nocturnal burrower; best not handled\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 × 30 cm floor for one adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 × 45 cm or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInsectivore – small dusted crickets \u0026amp; invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–32 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–25 °C cool end\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot essential but beneficial — UV Index 0.5–1.5 + 2–5% UVB — not essential (nocturnal) but low-level UVB supports D3 synthesis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow ambient with a damp burrow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers wanting a small arid display gecko\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLicence Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes - reptile keeper's licence in most Australian states\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest kept alone. A single male and female may share a suitably sized enclosure with ample hides where breeding is intended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house two males together, and do not mix with other gecko or lizard species or any larger animal that could see it as prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee. A reptile keeper's licence is required to buy and keep native reptiles and amphibians in most Australian states - please ensure you hold the appropriate licence for your state before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234113863971,"sku":"AA3819","price":220.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/beaded-gecko.jpg?v=1781503853","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/beaded-gecko","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}