With its beautiful appearance, the Australian Velvet Gecko can make a lovely captive lizard. These secretive animals will thrive in a proper set-up, and can be easily bred by lizard keepers with a bit of experience.

Australian Velvet Geckos are nocturnal, and in the wild they are usually found on the ground under dead leaves or other foliage, where they hide during the day. They are skilled climbers and are seen often on walls or branches. Although Australian Velvet Geckos can be kept in small groups, usually male - female pairs work best. Animals of the same sex can often show territorial aggression. Australian Velvet Geckos are best suited for keepers with intermediate levels of experience.

By maturity, Australian Velvet Geckos usually reach lengths of about six inches. They have adhesive pads on their feet that aid them in climbing. Their bodies are dorsally flattened. These lovely geckos are richly colored, usually with a brick red or brown shade. The back of the Australian Velvet Geckos is marked with rows of white patches that are outlined in a darker brown or red color.

Australian Velvet Geckos are native to eastern regions of Australia. They are quite secretive and often hide in rock crevices or beneath layers of peeling tree bark. Australian Velvet Geckos have become popular as pets and can be quite rewarding to keep.

The lid to an Australian Velvet Gecko's enclosure should be secure, since these animals are good climbers. A trio or a pair can be housed in a 20 gallon terrarium. The enclosure should include both vertical and horizontal climbing opportunities. Live or artificial plants can provide good hiding places in addition to climbing items. Bark is usually a good moisture retaining substrate. Australian Velvet Geckos should not be exposed to bright lights. Daytime temperatures should remain between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and at night the temperature should drop to the low to mid 70s. A light daily misting and a shallow water bowl will generally suffice to meet the Australian Velvet Gecko's moisture requirements (50 percent humidity levels). Australian Velvet Geckos can be fed a variety of insects as the mainstay of their diets. Most will accept nectar-like foods as well. Good choices may be strained fruits or fruit baby foods. Apricot, peach, and pear flavors all seem to make well-liked treats.

By the time they are seven months old, male Australian Velvet Geckos will usually have developed a hemipenal bulge and can thus be sexed. Female Australian Velvet Geckos can lay up to five clutches every year when kept in optimal health. Often breeding can be induced by a three month cooling period, after which eggs will be deposited between March and September. Usually each clutch consists of soft-shelled eggs that can be incubated half-buried in vermiculite. The eggs can be Incubated at between 80 and 83 degrees Fahrenheit and will hatch in 55 to 60 days.