Bauer's chameleon gecko — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Bauer's chameleon gecko — origin: Endemic to New Caledonia (Grande Terre, humid forests and southern maquis scrubland). Protected species: exporting New Caledonian wildlife is prohibited, and the CITES status of New Caledonian geckos should be checked (possible recent listing) — all specimens in captivity are captive-bred, and wild collection is illegal..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min16 °C

Cool side20–24 °C

Warm side24–27 °C

A cool- to temperate-climate species that is sensitive to heat: NEVER stay above 28-30 °C for prolonged periods, at the risk of stress and death. No hot spot / basking lamp needed (a forest ambient-temperature gecko). A night-time drop (16-20 °C) is beneficial.

Enclosure (adult)

30 × 30 × 45 cm

Vertical arboreal terrarium, planted / bioactive, with numerous thin branches and foliage

A 30x30x45 cm terrarium is suitable for 1 individual or a pair. A tiny species: favour a density of thin perches and plant hideouts over sheer volume. Good ventilation is important but without a drying draught. Very fine mesh/openings: this is a thread-like animal that escapes through the slightest gap.

Humidity

50–75 %

Light daily misting (especially in the evening) with a dry cycle in between: the terrarium must be able to dry out partially to avoid stagnant air and infections. A humidity peak at night promotes hydration and shedding.

Substrate

Bioactive coco soil / coir fibreSphagnum mossPaper towel (simple setup / quarantine)

A moisture-retaining substrate (bioactive with drainage) stabilises humidity. For an observation or quarantine setup, paper towel is acceptable. Avoid ingestible fibrous substrates near feeding areas.

UVB

Optional

Low UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1, UVI ~1-2; 5-6% tube / low-intensity T5, at a distance). Not strictly mandatory if D3 is provided through the diet, but low UVB improves bone health in the long term. Provide shaded areas.

Water source

Always available

Hydration mainly via misting droplets on the foliage and the glass. Also provide a small, shallow dish of clean water, renewed daily.

Origin

Diplodactylidae

Endemic to New Caledonia (Grande Terre, humid forests and southern maquis scrubland). Protected species: exporting New Caledonian wildlife is prohibited, and the CITES status of New Caledonian geckos should be checked (possible recent listing) — all specimens in captivity are captive-bred, and wild collection is illegal.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Small insects (fruit flies, micro-crickets, young roaches) + fruit purée / powdered gecko diet (CGD)

A very low appetite (food drive) compared to crested geckos: offer small amounts several times a week. Always supplement with calcium (with or without D3 depending on UVB exposure); dust the insects.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 1–2 eggs/young. Generally 2 eggs per clutch (sometimes 1), with several clutches per season. Slow incubation at a cool temperature, ~55-90 days around 22-24 °C (do not overheat). Reminder: all available breeders are captive-bred (wild collection/export prohibited).

Health watch points

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium / vitamin D3 deficiency
Dehydration and dysecdysis (retained shed, especially at the tips of the toes and tail)
Egg retention / dystocia in females (often linked to a calcium deficiency)
Respiratory infections (an environment that is too cold, too damp or stagnant)
Chronic stress and loss of appetite (overheating, excessive handling, an overly exposed environment)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Bauer's chameleon gecko.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the bauer's chameleon gecko.

How big does an adult Agricola's chameleon gecko get?▾

It's a dwarf species: an adult reaches only 10 to 13 cm in length, including the prehensile tail. Very slender and tapered, it looks almost like a living twig.

Can this gecko be collected from the wild to keep in captivity?▾

No, that's out of the question. Agricola's chameleon gecko is endemic to New Caledonia, a protected region where exporting wildlife is banned; every specimen available in captivity comes from captive breeding, never wild collection, which is illegal.

What kind of terrarium does it need?▾

A vertical arboreal terrarium of about 30x30x45 cm is enough for one animal or a pair, planted and ideally bioactive, with plenty of thin branches and dense foliage. For this tiny species, what matters is the density of perches and plant hideouts rather than raw volume, and you need to watch the openings closely: this thread-like animal escapes through the smallest gap.

Does this gecko need intense heat?▾

No, quite the opposite: coming from a cool to temperate climate, it can't tolerate heat and should never be kept above 28-30°C for long. The recommended gradient runs from 20-24°C on the cool side to 24-27°C on the warm side, with no basking hot spot, and a beneficial night-time drop.

How should humidity be managed day to day?▾

A light daily misting, preferably in the evening, keeps humidity in the 50-75% range, with a nocturnal peak that supports hydration and shedding. The terrarium should then be allowed to partially dry out to avoid stagnant air that favours infections.

What does Agricola's chameleon gecko eat?▾

Its diet is omnivorous: small insects such as fruit flies, micro-crickets or young roaches, supplemented with fruit purée or a powdered gecko diet. Its appetite is markedly lower than that of a crested gecko, so it's best to offer small amounts several times a week, with calcium supplementation every time.

Is UVB lighting necessary?▾

Low UVB, Ferguson zone 1, UV index around 1-2, isn't strictly mandatory if vitamin D3 is provided through diet, but it's recommended since it improves bone health over the long term. Shaded areas should still be kept available in the terrarium.

Is this gecko easy to handle?▾

It's known for being extremely calm and slow, moving in a chameleon-like fashion with deliberate steps, and it very rarely jumps. That said, it's a small, fragile animal: handling is best kept to the strict minimum to avoid unnecessary stress.

What is its lifespan?▾

This little gecko is surprisingly long-lived for its size: 10 to 15 years on average, and particularly well-kept individuals can approach or even exceed 15 to 20 years.

How does it reproduce?▾

It's an egg-laying species that typically lays 2 eggs per clutch, sometimes just 1, with a parchment-like shell, and several clutches are possible per season. Incubation is slow and takes place at a cool temperature, around 22-24°C, for 55 to 90 days.

What health problems should be watched for in this species?▾

The main risks are metabolic bone disease linked to a calcium or vitamin D3 deficiency, dehydration with incomplete sheds at the tips of the toes and tail, and in females, possible egg retention often associated with a calcium shortfall. An environment that's too cold, too damp or stagnant also encourages respiratory infections.

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