What's the difference between an African fat-tailed gecko and a leopard gecko?
They're close cousins — both are ground-dwelling eyelid geckos with very similar, beginner-friendly care — so if you can keep a leo, you can keep a fat-tail. The main differences: the fat-tail comes from more humid West African habitats, so it wants higher humidity, a wet/dry seasonal cycle, and a good humid hide; it has a stouter body and a plump, fat-storing tail; and many keepers find it even more mellow to handle.
🛒 Getting one🏠 Setup
African fat-tailed gecko guide →
How much humidity does an African fat-tailed gecko need?
More than a leopard gecko. They do best on a seasonal cycle — a rainy/warm season around 70–80% by day and a drier season around 50% by day — and, whatever the season, a humid hide (moist substrate, kept ~70%+) on the cool end at all times. Getting this right prevents the classic fat-tail problem: retained shed stuck on the toes and tail tip. Keep any gecko under 6 months old in the warmer, more humid conditions.
💧 Humidity & shedding🏠 Setup
Guide: stuck shed →Setup checker →
Why is my fat-tailed gecko's tail so fat — and is a thin tail bad?
The plump tail is exactly right — it's a fat store, and a full, rounded tail is the sign of a well-fed, healthy gecko (it's literally the animal's namesake). A thin, shrivelled "stick" tail is the warning sign: it points to underfeeding, or — if it comes with chronic runny stool and wasting despite eating — a parasite problem like cryptosporidiosis ("stick tail disease"), which needs a reptile vet. Weigh weekly and watch the tail.
🩺 Health🍽️ Feeding
Guide: fat or thin? →Body-condition checker →
African fat-tailed gecko · 3 questions