Central American Banded Gecko Caresheet

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Central American Banded Gecko (Coleonyx mitratus) — Basic Care & Husbandry

Written by Joshua Halter.

Updated and checked on 9/30/2025

Overview & Natural History
The Central American banded gecko (Coleonyx mitratus) is a medium‐sized gecko with eyelids that is native to Central America. They are crepuscular/nocturnal and spend daylight hours hiding in soil or burrows, emerging at dusk to forage. These geckos are great for beginners due to their friendly demeanor.

Enclosure

Tank size & type

A longer habitat, such as a 20 gallon long or a 36" x 18" x 18" (40 breeder) will be great for a single gecko or a small group (do not house males together, they will fight). It is not recommended to keep them in anything smaller than a 20-gallon long (for a single gecko), add at least 10 gallons per additional gecko.
Use a screened lid for ventilation; these geckos can climb, but prefer surfaces that are easy to navigate.

Substrate & bioactive options

Use a desert‐type substrate that drains well but retains a bit of moisture— Terra Sahara Bioactive Substrate is a suitable option for these geckos. They will need the substrate for burrowing, shedding, respiration and hydration.
In a bioactive setup, include your arid/temperate springtails, arid isopods such as Laevis or Pruisinus, your biological driver such as BioShot and leaf litter or cork pieces, thoroughly mixed with your substrate.
Provide a moist hide on the both sides for different humidity/temperature gradients. Items such as the Dude's Rock Hideaway, cork bark Flats or palm fronds can be utilized.
Maintain a dry surface layer with some burrowing depth (2–4 in) beneath. Ensure your substrate layers are dry on the top and moist in the middle and bottom layers.
Add rocks, cork bark caves, half logs, flat ledges, or shallow tunnels to simulate natural microhabitats. Rocks are great because they will not only hold onto the heat and aid with thermoregulation, it will also help keep their nails trimmed.
Sturdy, arid plants such as Opuntia cacti, Agaves, Sanservias, Tillandsia, aloes and succulents can be utilized in your bioactive habitat. Be sure to properly rinse, de-dirt and disinfect your plants prior to introducing them into your habitat.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

Temperature gradients

Warm hide/body temperature: 86–90 °F (30–32 °C)
Ambient (cool side): 75–80 °F (24–27 °C)
Night lows: 68–72 °F (18–20 °C)

It is recommended to utilize a halogen heat bulb that emits IRA and IRB, such as the Arcadia heat bulb placed into an overhead reptile heat dome of appropriate size. If you are having issues regulating the above gradients, the utilization of a thermostat is recommended to ensure you are providing proper thermogradients. Utilizing a Bio Dude thermometer/hygrometer will also help ensure your above parameters are correct.

Lighting & UVB

Though nocturnal, low‐level UVB (2.0–5.0) is strongly recommended to promote calcium metabolism and natural behavior. If you are providing UVB, be sure to use a calcium supplement that does NOT include D3. It is recommended to utilize a Bio Dude Solar Lamp Fixture to house the individual UVB if you are not buying a UVB kit and connect that fixture via daisy chain the Bio Dude Solar Grow LED for your live plants.
Use a 10–12 HR photoperiod, shifting seasonally (10 h in winter, up to 14 h in summer).
Place the UVB fixture so it’s unobstructed (no glass/plastic between bulb and animal). Be sure to utilize a Solar Meter to check the Ferguson Zone you are providing to ensure it is not an incorrect spectrum.
Replace UVB bulbs every 6–12 months (even if the light still functions) because output declines. Utilize a Solar Meter to confirm this and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Humidity & shedding

Keep ambient humidity around 35% and provide one moderate spike at bedtime to about 55%. A spray bottle can be utilized to help maintain this.
The humid hide will also play a vital role in shedding and humidity.
During shedding, it is important to check the toes of your gecko. Leftover skin or incomplete sheds should be carefully removed. Leftover shed can cause toes to fall off!

Diet, Feeding & Supplements

Feeding frequency & prey size

Juveniles: feed daily. A varied diet is of paramount importance.
Adults: feed every other day or 3–4× per week. A varied diet is of paramount importance.
Offer prey items not exceeding the width of the space between the geckos eyes (e.g. small crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae, silkworms). Anything larger than that can cause injury or internal issues and is not recommended.
Do not feed them superworms. They are unable to digest them fully and can cause internal issues.
Waxworms or butterworms can be occasional treats (sparingly, as fat sources).
A feeding bowl can be utilized with this species.

Gutloading & supplementation

Gutload insects 24–48 hours prior to feeding with high‐quality diets such as The Bio Dude's Bug Grub, carrots, cucumbers and leafy greens. Remove any uneaten food after 24 hours.
Dust feeders with calcium (without D3 if you are providing UVB, or with D3 if you are NOT providing UVB) at most feedings (adults every other feeding). We recommend Repashy Calcium Plus.
Use a multivitamin supplement occasionally (e.g. once weekly). Do not mix the Calcium with your Multivitamin as they will offset. We recommend Repashy Supervite.
Offer a shallow dish of clean water daily (change daily and disinfect often to prevent bacterial buildup). If you are seeing your feeder insects, isopods or springtails drown feel free to put a tiny piece of cork in the bowl (it will float) and give these critters a way out without stagnating the water source.

Handling & Health Notes

Banded geckos are somewhat sensitive and prefer minimal handling. Over handling can stress them and provoke them to drop their tails. While they can regenerate this is a very traumatic and a high energy cost for them to pay. Understand your geckos body language when holding and interacting so you are able to slowly build up that trust.
Always wash hands before and after handling.

Overall, these unique geckos are great for beginners and are one of our favorites here at the Bio Dude. Feel free to check in with us if you have any other questions or visit our YouTube Channel for build videos and inspiration.

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