Reference library
Mourning Gecko Info Library
299 individual, source-checked answers — one question, one page. Every feeder insect, plant, substrate, supplement, fact, and morph on The Mourning Table gets its own page here so you can jump straight to the exact thing you're asking about.
Care guides
Full care guide guide →In-depth, source-checked mourning gecko care guides — enclosure, heating, diet, health, and more.
Mourning Gecko Enclosure: What You Actually NeedMourning Gecko Setup Checklist: Everything Before Day OneMourning Gecko Tank Size Guide: By AgeMourning Gecko Heating: Why You Probably Don't Need AnyMourning Gecko UVB: Is It Actually Necessary?Mourning Gecko Humidity: Why It Needs to Be HighHow Long Do Mourning Geckos Live?Mourning Gecko Diet: The Full BreakdownMourning Gecko Feeding Schedule by AgeMourning Gecko Care Sheet: The Full ReferenceMourning Gecko Temperature & Humidity ChartMourning Gecko Substrate: What's Actually SafeMourning Gecko Weight Chart by AgeMourning Gecko Colour Variation Guide (Not True Morphs)Mourning Gecko Growth Stages ExplainedHow Much Does a Mourning Gecko Cost?Mourning Gecko Shedding: What's NormalMourning Gecko Behaviour: What They're Telling YouCommon Mourning Gecko Diseases & Health ProblemsMourning Gecko Not Eating: Causes & What to DoAre There Male and Female Mourning Geckos?Mourning Gecko Quarantine: Why & How LongMourning Gecko Reproduction: The Basics of ParthenogenesisMourning Gecko Egg Incubation GuideMourning Gecko vs Leopard Gecko: Which Should You Get?Mourning Gecko vs Gargoyle Gecko: Key DifferencesMourning Gecko Species: Lepidodactylus lugubris ExplainedAre Mourning Geckos Good Pets?How to Handle a Mourning Gecko Without Stressing It OutMourning Gecko for Sale: What to Look For Before You BuyMourning Gecko Tail Loss: Does It Grow Back?Do Mourning Geckos Change Colour?Mourning Gecko Diet (MRP) Powdered Food GuideHow Mourning Gecko Toe Pads WorkWhy Mourning Geckos Jump So MuchWhy Mourning Geckos Have No EyelidsMourning Gecko Bioactive Setup GuideBest Live Plants for a Mourning Gecko EnclosureMourning Gecko Misting ScheduleMourning Gecko Fogger vs Hand Misting: Which Is Better?Why Is My Mourning Gecko Glass Surfing?Crickets vs MRP: Do Mourning Geckos Need Live Insects?Mourning Gecko Calcium Dusting ScheduleMourning Gecko First Week ChecklistMourning Gecko Enclosure: Vertical vs Horizontal SpaceMourning Gecko Heat Stress: Upper Temperature LimitsMourning Gecko Mouth Rot (Stomatitis)Mourning Gecko Mites: Signs & TreatmentMourning Gecko Impaction: Symptoms & PreventionMetabolic Bone Disease in Mourning GeckosMourning Gecko Poop Guide: What's NormalMourning Gecko Taming TimelineHow Much Does a Mourning Gecko Vet Visit Cost?How to Find an Exotic Vet for a Mourning GeckoMourning Gecko Escape-Proofing ChecklistCan Mourning Geckos Live Together?Gut-Loading Feeder Insects for Mourning GeckosSenior Mourning Gecko Care GuideMourning Gecko Water & Hydration GuidePreventing Mold in a Mourning Gecko EnclosureMourning Gecko Enclosure Ventilation & AirflowMourning Gecko Feeding Ledge: Placement TipsMourning Gecko Diet (MRP) Flavors: Do They Matter?Mourning Gecko Diet (MRP) Mixing Ratio GuideMourning Gecko Free-Fed vs Scheduled FeedingMourning Gecko Overfeeding & Obesity SignsMourning Gecko Underweight: Signs to Watch ForMourning Gecko Body Condition Score GuideTail-Less Mourning Gecko: What to ExpectMourning Gecko Pattern Types ExplainedMourning Gecko Color Morph Genetics BasicsMourning Gecko Reproductive Age & WeightMourning Gecko Clutch Size & Laying FrequencyMourning Gecko Egg-Laying SurfacesDo Mourning Gecko Eggs Need a Separate Incubator?Mourning Gecko Hatchling Care: The First Few WeeksWhy You Don't Need to Sex a Mourning GeckoMourning Gecko Vocalizations: Barking & Chirping ExplainedMourning Gecko Licking Behaviour ExplainedMourning Gecko Head Bobbing: What It MeansMourning Gecko Stress Signs: What to Watch ForMourning Gecko Digging BehaviourDo Mourning Geckos Need a Basking Spot?Mourning Gecko Ambient Room Temperature ToleranceMourning Gecko Cool-Down Period (Breeding Rest)Mourning Gecko Enclosure Humidity Cycle: Day vs NightMourning Gecko Automatic Misting System GuideMourning Gecko Cleanup Crew: Isopods & SpringtailsMourning Gecko Substrate Depth GuideMourning Gecko Background & Vine Setup IdeasMourning Gecko Enclosure Size for a Colony: 12x12x18 ExplainedMourning Gecko Juvenile to Adult Enclosure Upgrade TimingMourning Gecko Vet Costs BreakdownMourning Gecko Fecal Exam: Why & How OftenMourning Gecko Parasites: Common TypesMourning Gecko Prolapse: What It IsMourning Gecko Egg Binding (Dystocia): Signs & RiskMourning Gecko Dehydration SignsMourning Gecko Skin Fold: Normal Aging or a Concern?Mourning Gecko Regrown Tail: What to ExpectGut-Loading Crickets for Mourning GeckosFruit Flies & Pinhead Crickets for Juvenile Mourning GeckosMourning Gecko Overweight Tail: Is It a Concern?Mourning Gecko Legal Status & CITESMourning Gecko Breeders vs Pet Stores: What to Look ForMourning Gecko Origin & How It Became So WidespreadMourning Gecko Conservation StatusMourning Gecko Lifespan Factors: What Affects LongevityMultiple Mourning Geckos in One Enclosure: RisksRehoming a Mourning Gecko: Checklist
Feeder insects
Full feeder insect guide →Every feeder insect covered on the site, one question at a time.
Can Mourning Geckos Eat Complete Gecko MRP (meal-replacement powder) — fruit/nectar blend?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Repashy MRP (Crested Gecko Diet / Grub Pie, used off-label)?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Fruit Flies (Drosophila melanogaster / hydei, flightless)?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Springtails?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Pinhead / small crickets (2nd–3rd instar only)?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Honey water / diluted nectar (occasional)?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Mango or papaya (tiny mashed pieces, occasional)?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Dubia roach nymphs, mealworms, superworms?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Waxworms?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Citrus fruits?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Avocado?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Fireflies / Lightning Bugs?Can Mourning Geckos Eat Wild-caught insects?
Plants
Full plant guide →Enclosure plant safety ratings for mourning geckos.
Is Pothos Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Creeping Fig Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Pothos alternative note Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Bromeliads Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Orchids (Phalaenopsis and similar epiphytic types) Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Pothos alternative: Nephthytis / Arrowhead Vine Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Pilea Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Peace Lily Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Ivy (all species) Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Oleander Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Sago Palm Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Euphorbia species (Pencil Cactus, African Milk Tree, etc.) Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Pothos-free jungle vine mix: Philodendron micans alternative — Peperomia Safe for Mourning Geckos?Is Cork bark, driftwood, and fine mesh climbing surfaces (non-plant, but essential decor) Safe for Mourning Geckos?
Gut-load foods
Full gut-load food guide →What to feed your feeder insects before you feed them to your gecko.
Fruit fly media (commercial mix) for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsMashed sweet potato / carrot (in springtail/cricket culture) for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsBee pollen granules (crushed, in fruit fly media) for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsOats / rolled oats for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsSpinach for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsCitrus fruits for Gut-Loading Feeder InsectsAvocado for Gut-Loading Feeder Insects
Substrates
Full substrate guide →Every substrate option, rated for impaction risk and safety.
Is Coconut fibre (eco earth) + sphagnum moss topper a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Paper towel a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Sphagnum moss (as primary layer) a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Reptile carpet a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Loose substrate for hatchlings kept on live insects a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Sand a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Walnut shell a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?Is Cedar or pine shavings a Safe Substrate for Mourning Geckos?
Supplements
Full supplement guide →How and when to use each mourning gecko supplement.
Facts
Full fact guide →Mourning gecko facts, myths, and biology explained individually.
Mourning geckos are an all-female species that reproduces entirely without malesMales do occasionally turn up, but they're extremely rare and effectively non-functionalThe species is actually a complex of many distinct genetic clonal lineages, not one uniform genomeThe name 'mourning gecko' comes from the Latin species name lugubris, meaning 'mournful' or 'gloomy'Unlike some popular pet geckos, a mourning gecko's tail DOES grow back after being droppedMourning geckos are genuinely tiny — adults run about 3–4 inches (7.5–10cm) total length and only 2–4 gramsMourning geckos have no moveable eyelids and lick their own eyes cleanMourning geckos have adhesive toe pads and can climb glass with easeMourning geckos are one of the most widely distributed reptiles on Earth thanks to human shippingMourning geckos commonly live 5–8 years in captivity, occasionally longer with excellent careMourning geckos are mostly nocturnal but show more daytime activity than many gecko speciesMourning geckos are highly arboreal and spend nearly all their time off the groundMourning geckos are unusually social and live well in same-sex colonies — because they're all genetically identical clonesExpect most activity in the evening and after dark, though some daytime movement is normal tooMourning geckos are agile jumpers and can move surprisingly fast for their sizeMourning geckos make audible chirping and clicking sounds, especially at nightMourning geckos routinely eat their own shed skin shortly after it comes offTail loss is usually triggered by being grabbed by the tail or a sudden fright, not randomA complete powdered meal-replacement diet (MRP) can form the entire diet — live insects are optionalAny live insects offered must be genuinely tiny — flightless fruit flies and pinhead crickets, not standard feeder sizesMost homes don't need a dedicated heat source for this speciesThis species needs genuinely high humidity — roughly 60–80% — with good ventilationA compact enclosure can comfortably house a colony, unlike most gecko species which need solo or carefully matched housingLow-level UVB is increasingly recommended, though not strictly mandatoryA secure, tightly fitted, fine-mesh lid is essential — gaps that are irrelevant for larger geckos are real escape routes hereAn established colony of adult females will lay fertile eggs regularly without any male presentMetabolic Bone Disease is preventable with a properly formulated dietLike all reptiles, mourning geckos can carry Salmonella without appearing sick themselvesMourning gecko skin is delicate and can tear or bruise if the animal is gripped tightlyWatch for restlessness, appetite loss, or seeking out the coolest surface as early signs of heat stressA quick daily visual check of eyes, vent, toes, and general alertness catches problems earlier than occasional weighing aloneBecause adults weigh only a few grams, even a small absolute weight change can be significantThere is no selective-breeding morph market for mourning geckos the way there is for crested geckosEggs are typically laid in pairs and glued firmly to a surface such as bark, a leaf axil, or the inside of an enclosureHatchlings are fully independent from the moment they emerge, with no parental careKeepers who don't want an ever-expanding colony need a plan for eggs, since a healthy adult colony will keep producing themMourning geckos belong to Gekkonidae, the true gecko family, unlike leopard geckos which belong to the eyelid gecko familyLepidodactylus lugubris was formally described by naturalists Duméril and Bibron in 1836The species' parthenogenetic lineages are believed to have originated from ancient hybridisation between two related, sexually-reproducing Lepidodactylus speciesMourning geckos have been studied by scientists since at least the 1960s as a model species for understanding vertebrate parthenogenesisIn the wild, mourning geckos eat a mix of nectar, pollen, tree sap, and small invertebrates such as ants, moths, and spidersFlightless fruit flies, particularly the slightly larger Drosophila hydei, are commonly preferred over the smaller Drosophila melanogaster for feeding mourning geckosSpringtails make a suitable supplemental live feeder for the very smallest hatchling mourning geckosA tall, front-opening bioactive vivarium with dense live planting suits mourning geckos better than a wide, low enclosureA mature female mourning gecko typically lays a new pair of eggs roughly every two to four weeks once established in good conditionsMourning gecko eggs typically take roughly 40 to 90 days to hatch, depending on ambient temperatureMultiple females in a colony often glue their eggs to the same favoured surface, creating a shared communal egg-laying siteFemale mourning geckos commonly reach sexual maturity at around four to six months of age in captivityMourning gecko hatchlings look like miniature adults from the moment they hatch, without a distinct juvenile colour phaseA mourning gecko's somewhat translucent belly can let a keeper see visible fat bodies, a useful tool for judging body conditionMourning geckos should never be deliberately cooled or brumated, unlike some temperate reptile speciesBecause mourning geckos weigh only a few grams, pesticide or fertiliser residue on live plants used in a bioactive setup poses a proportionally greater risk than it would for a larger reptileResearch into gecko chemical ecology suggests mourning geckos may use scent cues to recognise related, genetically identical colony membersMourning gecko droppings are tiny enough that a magnifying loupe is genuinely useful for checking consistency and colour during health monitoringMinor damage to a mourning gecko's toe pad setae can be repaired over the following one or two shedsA regrown mourning gecko tail is typically shorter, smoother, and slightly different in colour from the originalEven in a genetically identical, low-aggression colony, larger or older individuals can still get first access to food over smaller, younger geckosMourning gecko eggs have a harder, more calcified shell than the soft, leathery eggs of ground-dwelling geckos like the leopard geckoBecause mourning gecko eggs are firmly glued to a surface, most keepers leave them in place within the vivarium rather than moving them to a separate incubatorMourning geckos are studied in invasion biology as a model species for understanding how reptiles establish populations through human-assisted transportMourning geckos have not been individually assessed by the IUCN in the same way many less widespread reptile species haveMourning geckos are not listed under CITES and can be traded and kept without special import or export permits in most jurisdictionsBecause mourning geckos are unusually social for a gecko species, housing a single individual alone can lead to more stress and reduced activity than housing a small colony togetherProviding more than one feeding station or perch near food sources helps reduce competition for fruit fly cultures and powdered diet access in a colony setupGood airflow remains essential in a mourning gecko enclosure even though the species needs high humidityMourning geckos primarily hydrate by drinking water droplets left on leaves and enclosure surfaces after misting, similar to crested geckosAny bioactive cleanup crew used in a mourning gecko enclosure should be genuinely small-bodied, since larger isopods can compete with fruit flies for food and spaceMourning geckos are sometimes sold cheaply or informally as 'feeder' or 'starter' geckos, though they warrant the same standard of care as any other pet gecko speciesA mourning gecko's flexible body can compress through gaps that look far too small for an animal of its sizeMourning geckos are generally considered a display species best minimally handled, rather than a species suited to frequent handling like some larger geckosBecause mourning geckos mature quickly and reproduce without needing to find a mate, even a small starting colony can expand its population noticeably within a year or twoWild mourning geckos face predation from birds, larger geckos, and centipedes that captive individuals never encounterCaptive mourning gecko colonies show little to no courtship-related behaviour compared to sexually reproducing gecko speciesThe mid-20th century saw a marked acceleration in the mourning gecko's global spread, coinciding with a large increase in Pacific shipping and cargo movementDifferent clonal lineages of mourning gecko have been observed to show slightly different thermal or humidity tolerancesMourning geckos don't perform the slow pre-strike tail wave seen in some ambush-hunting gecko speciesMourning geckos tend to produce fecal output relatively frequently for their size, consistent with a fast metabolism supporting frequent small feedingsA new mourning gecko colony can be started from a single female, unlike sexually reproducing pet gecko species that require both a male and femaleMourning geckos show a comparatively weak seasonal breeding cycle compared to species from more temperate climatesJuvenile mourning geckos shed more frequently than adults, in line with their faster early growth rateFinding a vet equipped to examine or treat an animal as small as a mourning gecko can be genuinely difficult, even among reptile-experienced practicesKeepers who want to limit colony growth often remove and discard eggs promptly after they're laid, since the firmly glued eggs can't easily be relocated insteadMourning geckos, like most true geckos, show no externally visible parietal 'third eye' on top of the headA mourning gecko will lick its own eye to clear away dust or debris caught under its fixed transparent brilleLike several other gecko species, mourning geckos almost always lay exactly two eggs per clutchMixed powdered nectar diet offered to mourning geckos should generally be replaced within a day or two to avoid spoilage in a warm, humid enclosureMourning geckos reproduce via a form of parthenogenesis called automictic thelytoky, producing genetically near-identical female offspringDespite reproducing asexually, the mourning gecko species complex contains multiple distinct genetic clonal lineages with different characteristicsA small colony of mourning geckos, commonly 3-6 individuals, is often recommended as a manageable starting group sizeAn unmanaged mourning gecko colony can grow substantially within a year given how frequently females lay eggsMourning gecko hatchlings emerge fully independent and can begin eating tiny food items within their first day or twoEggs are laid in adhering pairs that are glued firmly to a chosen surface such as cork bark, leaves, or the enclosure glassMourning gecko eggs typically develop and hatch within roughly 60-120 days depending on ambient temperatureMourning geckos are believed to have spread across much of the Pacific partly through human shipping activity over centuriesThe mourning gecko's likely region of origin is southeast Asia and nearby Pacific islands, though its exact ancestral range is debated given its extensive spreadWhile unusually social for a gecko species, mourning geckos in an overcrowded enclosure can still show increased stress and competitionMourning geckos produce a range of audible clicks and chirps used in social interaction beyond simple distress callsFlightless fruit flies are commonly used as a live insect supplement for mourning geckos given their appropriately tiny sizeCommercial meal replacement powders (MRP) formulated for small nectivorous or omnivorous geckos can serve as the core diet for mourning geckosIn the wild, mourning geckos are known to feed on nectar, pollen, and fruit in addition to small insectsA relatively compact vertical enclosure, sometimes as small as a few gallons per individual, can comfortably house a mourning gecko colonyMourning geckos routinely eat their own shed skin almost immediately after it comes off, more consistently than some other gecko speciesVisual sexing methods used for most reptile species don't apply to mourning geckos since the population is functionally all-femaleA dropped mourning gecko tail typically regrows within a matter of weeks, faster than the multi-month process in some larger gecko speciesBalancing high humidity with adequate cross-ventilation prevents the mold and stagnant air issues that can develop in small, densely planted mourning gecko enclosuresMourning gecko vivariums commonly use small broad-leaved tropical plants like pothos, pilea, or small bromeliadsPhysically removing and discarding eggs shortly after laying is one straightforward way keepers control mourning gecko colony population growthAt roughly 5-8 years, typical mourning gecko lifespan is shorter than many popular pet gecko species like leopard or crested geckosAdult mourning geckos typically weigh only 1-2 gramsEven though UVB isn't considered mandatory for mourning geckos, low-level UVB exposure is increasingly offered as a beneficial additionMourning geckos can squeeze through remarkably small gaps given their tiny body sizeMourning geckos primarily drink water droplets left on leaves and enclosure surfaces after mistingBecause all individuals in an established colony are genetically near-identical females, mourning gecko groups show less overt dominance hierarchy behavior than mixed-sex groups of other speciesBioactive setups with live plants, leaf litter, and a springtail/isopod cleanup crew are a popular and practical choice for mourning gecko enclosuresMourning geckos are commonly offered food (MRP diet and/or fruit flies) every day to every other day given their small size and higher relative metabolic needsGrabbing a mourning gecko by the tail during an attempted handling is a common and largely avoidable trigger for tail lossDifferent mourning gecko clonal lineages are sometimes informally distinguished in the hobby by subtle differences in size or coloration, though formal lineage identification requires genetic testingMourning geckos, like several other gecko species, may use vent-area scent marking as part of colony-level communicationFreshly laid mourning gecko eggs are initially soft and harden within roughly a day of being laidMost mourning geckos kept at typical indoor room temperature (around 72-80°F/22-27°C) don't need a dedicated heat sourceImpaction risk from substrate ingestion is considered relatively low in mourning geckos given how small their bite-sized prey items already areNew mourning geckos, including wild-caught or unknown-origin individuals, are generally quarantined before joining an established colonyA quick visual check of eyes, vent, toes, and general alertness across a colony helps a keeper notice if one individual is falling behindAssessing body condition in a species this small relies more on overall alertness, activity, and feeding participation than visible fat reservesSpringtails and small isopod species are commonly used as a cleanup crew in mourning gecko bioactive vivariumsMourning geckos combine strong jumping ability with their small size, making them notably difficult to recapture if they escape an open enclosureA consistent roughly 12-hour light and dark cycle is commonly recommended for mourning geckos even without a UVB requirementAny live insects offered to mourning geckos as a supplement to a complete powdered diet are typically lightly dusted with calcium powderLepidodactylus lugubris is technically considered a species complex rather than a single simply defined species, given its multiple genetically distinct lineagesMourning geckos are generally considered better suited to being observed than frequently handledAn established colony will often lay eggs across a variety of surfaces throughout the enclosure rather than a single dedicated egg-laying spotBecause of their small body mass, mourning geckos can lose or gain heat more quickly than larger reptile species when ambient temperature shiftsA drainage layer beneath the substrate helps prevent waterlogging in a regularly misted mourning gecko bioactive enclosureProviding more than one feeding dish or station in a colony enclosure reduces competition among multiple geckos feeding at onceAudible clicking sounds in mourning geckos are most often reported during social interactions or when a gecko is startledIn some regions where mourning geckos have become established outside their original range, they compete with native gecko species for food and habitatProviding multiple small humid hides at different heights suits a colony better than a single shared hide
Morphs
Full morph guide →Mourning gecko colour morphs — genetics, prevalence, and welfare notes.