Lygodactylus williamsi

Vertical arboreal terrarium, planted and bioactive (humid tropical environment). Cross-ventilation is essential.

Minimum for a pair; a volume of 45x45x60 cm is strongly recommended for a pair or a harem in order to partition territories. Densely planted (Pandanus, bromeliads, Sansevieria, ficus, vines/bamboo) with numerous vertical perches and rough supports. Verticality and the number of hides take precedence over floor area. Provide a very fine mesh lid or careful seals: these dwarf geckos escape through the slightest gap.

Daily misting (often morning and evening) to recreate droplets, with a good partial drying during the day thanks to ventilation. A more humid atmosphere at night. A constantly waterlogged and poorly ventilated terrarium promotes fungal and respiratory infections.

A bioactive substrate is recommended, with a cleanup microfauna (springtails, isopods) and live plants. As the animal is almost exclusively arboreal, the substrate mainly serves to manage humidity and recycling rather than locomotion.

Essential. A diurnal gecko exposed to the sun: provide UVB of Ferguson zone 3 (UVI of about 2-3 at the level of the high perch), for example a 5-6% T5 tube or a suitable UVB lamp, replaced every 6-12 months. Insufficient UVB rapidly causes metabolic bone disease in this fast-growing dwarf species.

These geckos drink the misting droplets off the leaves and glass rather than from a water dish. Provide a small shallow cup or a humid wall; regular misting for drinking and humidity.

Tanzania — the Kimboza forest and a few adjacent wooded fragments (an extremely restricted range), where it is tied to the screw pine Pandanus rabaiensis. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed on CITES Appendix I (since 2017) and classified as 'Critically Endangered' (CR) by the IUCN. Massive wild collection has devastated the populations: acquire ONLY captive-bred individuals with proper CITES/EU documents, and refuse any specimen of dubious origin.

Insectivore / Nectarivore — Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster and hydei), micro-crickets (pinheads), springtails, small insects suited to the size of the head.

Supplement with nectar/fruit purée of the Repashy or Pangea type (2-3 times/week), which also provides pollen and sugars. Dust the prey with calcium without D3 at every meal and with a calcium+D3/vitamin complex 1-2 times/week; never overdose vitamin D. Excess nectar promotes obesity: keep an insect/nectar balance.

Clutch 1–2 eggs/young. The female glues 1-2 eggs (tiny and fragile) onto the leaves, bamboo stems or corners of the terrarium, at close intervals (every ~4-6 weeks in season). This frequent laying heavily depletes the calcium reserves: impeccable supplementation is vital to avoid dystocia and MBD. Incubation of about 60-90 days at 24-28 °C; the juveniles, extremely small, require very fine prey (fruit flies, springtails).

• Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency or insufficient UVB
• Egg retention (dystocia) and calcium depletion in frequently laying females
• Dehydration and heatstroke (small volume, unsuitable misting or ventilation)
• Stress, weight loss and injuries linked to territorial aggression or overcrowding
• Internal parasitism and infections (especially in wild-caught specimens)