Appearance

• House geckos can reach adult sizes of up to 5 inches in length, though most will top out around 3 to 4 inches. They are found in a wide variety of color morphs depending on diet and locality. Northern subspecies seem to be darker and more solid in color, while house geckos in the Southwest deserts are more pale and sometimes even semi-transparent. The average lifespan for the house gecko is five to 10 years.
  
  

Housing

• In captivity, a pair of geckos will require a tank of at least 10 gallons, though a 20-gallon tall-style tank will make them much happier and more active. Height is more important than width when it comes to tank design. Adult males are very territorial, and should never be housed together, though groups of females are fine. Make sure that your tank has a secure lid, as geckos can climb straight up the glass of the tank. Also, provide plenty of branches and live or silk plants for your gecko to climb on and explore.
  
  

Temperature and Humidity

• House geckos can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but do best with a daytime temperature between 75 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and a nighttime drop of 10 to 15 degrees. Humidity should be around 60 percent to 75 percent at all times, which can be achieved through regular misting.
  
  

Diet

• Feed your gecko as much food as it will readily consume once a day or every other day. House geckos do well on a diet of small crickets, flies and other small insects. It is generally safer to purchase or raise these insects yourself, as wild-caught prey may be contaminated with pesticides.
  
  

Maintenance and Care

• Once per day, clean out any obviously soiled substrate and wipe down dirty accessories and glass. Water should be changed daily whether it is soiled, and any dead or uneaten prey should be removed immediately. Once every week or two (depending on the number of geckos and the size of the habitat), remove the geckos to a safe location and completely clean out the cage. A very mild bleach and water solution should be used to wipe the empty tank. Rinse thoroughly, until no bleach scent remains.
  
  

Important Considerations

• Some house geckos will not take well to using a water dish. Pay attention to your geckos' behavior, and if needed, supplement with additional mistings so that it may simply drink the dew from the mist bottle.
  Geckos, like all reptiles, may contain salmonella. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling any reptile.