Cut a small hole in three of the four faces of a shoe box. Run several sheets of paper towel under warm to hot tap water. Line the floor of the shoe box with the warm, wet paper towels. Set the box up against a wall in a quiet part of the house. Check the shoe box at least once every hour. if no gecko, try the next trap.
Dig a hole in the ground, as deep as the height of a bucket. [2] X Research source Create a series of in-ground holes to maximize the efficiency of this method. [3] X Research source Put a wet sponge in each bucket so that the geckos you catch do not dry out, in case they are not found right away. [4] X Research source Once submerged in the ground, cover the opening of each bucket with a piece of netting or fine mesh. The covering should be big enough to completely cover the mouth of each bucket, but not so big that the gecko will be able to climb out once it falls into the bucket. Check the buckets every couple of hours. bait will increase your chance of catching a gecko. [5] X Research source
Cut 0. 125-, 0. 25-, or 0. 33-inch mesh hardware cloth into 18-inch wide sections. [6] X Research source Roll each trap body into a cylinder, and secure it into that shape with zip ties, rubber bands, or twine tied around the tube. [7] X Research source Roll additional pieces of mesh hardware cloth into funnels with a narrow opening, around two inches (roughly five centimeters) in diameter. [8] X Research source Insert the funnels into each end of the cylinder, with the narrow points inside the tube. [9] X Research source Cut flaps into the mesh hardware cloth that hangs over the opening on each end, such that geckos could easily climb into the tube but would not be able to easily climb out. [10] X Research source Be sure to leave a wet sponge in the cylinder of each funnel trap you set up, and leave the trap in a shaded area for outdoor setups so that the gecko(s) will not overheat in direct sunlight. [11] X Research source Make the trap more alluring by leaving a couple of small insects, such as crickets, inside the trap.
Hover the net slightly above the gecko. Try to center the net’s rim around the spot the gecko is standing. Drop the net as quickly as possible. Hold the rim of the net down against the ground or wall to contain the gecko, once you’ve trapped it.
Cup your hands together, creating a hollow tube with your hands. Hover your hands slightly above the gecko. Drop your cupped hands down over the gecko. Be sure that the gecko won’t be able to climb out of your hands. Keep the bottoms of your hands flat against the ground, and your fingers tightly knit.
Slowly lower the stick slightly behind the gecko. When the gecko moves, continue to “herd” the gecko in the direction you want it to go. Be careful not to harm the gecko. You should never actually touch the lizard with the stick. It should simply be used to guide the gecko toward a net or a second person with open hands.
Geckos from the genus Phelsuma are indigenous to Madagascar and several islands in the Indian Ocean, but have been introduced to Hawaii and Florida in the United States by humans. [17] X Research source Geckos from the genus Lygodactylus are native to parts of Africa, including Madagascar, and parts of South America. [18] X Research source Geckos from the genus Gonatodes are native to the Caribbean Islands and parts of Central and South America. [19] X Research source Geckos from the genus Eurydactylodes are native to the Southwest Pacific region, located in New Caledonia and Koumac. [20] X Research source The Moorish gecko, from the genus Tarentola, is indigenous to South Europe and North Africa, but has been introduced by humans to Florida and California in the United States. [21] X Research source Tokay and leopard geckos are naturally nocturnal, but have been observed in captivity to adjust to diurnal cycles. [22] X Research source If you have a pet tokay or leopard gecko, it may have adapted to your diurnal schedule, and you may need to search for your gecko during the day.
Wear gloves if your gecko is prone to biting. This will protect your hands, in the process, may help prevent accidental drops that result from unexpected bites. Sit on the floor. This way, in case you accidentally drop your gecko, it won’t fall far. [29] X Research source Never squeeze or handle your gecko roughly. [30] X Expert Source Audra BarriosReptile Specialist Expert Interview. 18 August 2020. Do not grab your gecko by the tail. It may come unattached, and it can take up to 40 days for a new tail to grow. [31] X Research source Try to hold your gecko with open hands. [32] X Expert Source Audra BarriosReptile Specialist Expert Interview. 18 August 2020.
Nocturnal geckos should be kept in a dark enclosure at night. [34] X Research source Give your gecko small plants and little objects to hide under or behind. [35] X Research source Be aware of whether your species of gecko can climb walls. You may need to put a mesh screen over the enclosure to prevent your gecko from escaping easily. [36] X Research source Keep a clean water bowl in your gecko’s enclosure. You may also want to spray a mist of water onto the plants in the enclosure, as this may help further replicate what your gecko is used to in the wild, depending on its species. [37] X Research source Feed your gecko insects. Some geckos prefer crickets and mealworms. Others prefer smaller insects, depending on the size and dietary needs of each gecko species. Young geckos may need one to three insects every day. Older geckos may prefer being fed four to six insects three times each week, or roughly every other day. [38] X Research source Geckos can eat just about any insect that fits between their eyes. [39] X Expert Source Audra BarriosReptile Specialist Expert Interview. 18 August 2020.
