Robert,
To set an accurate tone as to how these animals behave in captivity, bare
in mind that U. guentheri comes from near Morondava in western Madagascar.
This region is not tropical like on the eastern coast, where most of the
other species occur. Some aspects of the behavior of guentheri has been
published. Henkel states that when they are alarmed they roll up in a
ball, drop to the ground, and run quick for cover. I have personally never
seen them "roll into a ball", but I have repeatedly witnessed this species
hit the ground running. As we all know Uroplatus typically jump and hop.
Guentheri, however, will occasionally run.
As Lyle suggested, they are perhaps the easiest of Uroplatus species to
keep. I keep my animals in moderate sized, vertically oriented terrariums
with naturalistic fixtures. Ficus species work well, Peperomia, and
perhaps Pothos. Bamboo (inside diameter of about one inch) is greedily
accepted. The animals typically rest in the top open sections with their
heads projecting slightly out. Cork tubes may also be used. Misting the
adults daily or every second day is sufficient. They can survive quite
well without misting for up to nearly a week, particularly the adults. In
saying that, I do not suggest to deprive them of this, but it is
interesting to know that they are quite adaptable. They also seem to
tolerate much higher temperatures than ANY other Uroplatus species in my
experience. I have seen adults basking under lights, where the temps. may
be in the mid-upper 80's. They eagerly chase down insects, even during
hours of broad day light. The care of the offspring is quite
straightforward. They thrive under slightly cooler temps and frequent
feedings. They make unique and fascinating captive subjects and really
seem to thrive. You can visit a photo album of mine that contains photos
of this species (and others) at the following site:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1368827&a=10206706
I truly hope that you are able to acquire some. There are very few
bloodlines of this species in captivity - anywhere.
There have been rumors circulating for years that "guentheri are going to
be imported", but the fact remains that this story has not came to fruition
in nearly 8 years, with virtually none coming into the US. A major
limiting factor which contributes to their rarity is the fact that this
species occurs in an area where very few other gecko species occur. The
collectors must make a long, out-of-the-way, excursion to collect them.
Realistically, it is not very economical for the collectors to travel so
far from the east-coast for a 'chance' to collect one or two species that
occur in the area where guentheri live.
Jon
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