Threats: Habitat loss and predation by cats and foxes
Will they visit?: Soft Spiny-tailed Geckos will venture into home gardens located near reserves, parks, and bushland
Natural Distribution: Common and widespread throughout the South West and Perth region
South western spiny-tail gecko – (CC) Alexandre Roux. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia License (Atlas of Living Australia)
South western spiny-tail gecko – (C)Joe Porter
Spiny-tailed Gecko – (C)Ry Beaver
Habitat at a Glance
See Habitat Guide for more detail
Shelter: Hollows in large trees and constructed nest boxes
Diet: Nocturnal invertebrates
Water: Not required
ReWild Benefit: Pest control
Habitat Guide - Shelter
Natural Shelter
Soft Spiny-tailed Gecko prefer to be high up in the shrub layer and a garden with tall shrubs will provide suitable habitat. Soft Spiny-tailed Geckos rely on camouflage to survive and a variety of shrubs will provide additional protection. Sticks, bark, and grass provide excellent spaces to hide. Plenty of hiding places will provide protection from cats and dogs.
Novel Shelter
If your garden has young trees or ‘smooth barked’ trees, then a ‘gecko guard’ will provide additional shelter. Examples of gecko guards are shown below. Install the gecko habitat on the wall, along the fence, or on the trunk of a large tree.
Habitat Guide - Food and Water
Providing natural sources of food
Soft Spiny-tailed Gecko are nocturnal and will prey upon moths, crickets, spiders, and other nocturnal invertebrates. Soft Spiny-tailed Geckos are no stranger to easy meals and occasionally hand around outdoor lighting in search for moths. Plant a variety of flowering shrubs and small trees to attract an array of insects to the garden.
Providing sources of water
Not required. Geckos get most of their water from their diet.
ReWild Benefits
Like most gecko species, the Soft Spiny-tailed Geckos help control pests (including roaches) and benefit our neighbourhoods by contributing to a healthy environment for our community. If you explore your garden during the night with a torch (called spotlighting) you might see one and you can record your sighting on Atlas of Living Australia!
