African fat-tailed gecko

Amazon-selected 72 × 24 × 24 inch black flat-pack; 18 mm MFC, 4 mm toughened glass, six vents. External/nominal sizing, not certified usable space.

External dimensions are not usable internal space. Check actual individual size, access, secure gaps, load support, furnishing clearance and any substrate depth before choosing this example.

This is an 18 mm melamine-faced chipboard enclosure with glass doors. Check the delivered internal length, depth and height against the care requirement after substrate, guards and furnishings; the inch label is external/nominal and is not proof of usable dimensions. Fit a suitable lock, protect board edges and keep water in watertight containers. Do not use unprotected board for a wet substrate build. Choose larger housing if any usable dimension or full-body extension fails.

Measure air temperature at animal height. Take independent warm and cool readings where the care plan needs a gradient.

Fit check: The remote probe measures air at one location. Keep it away from direct lamp heat, secure it safely and keep the display outside. Use separate probes for warm and cool areas where needed. Minimum/maximum readings help track changes; this device does not measure surfaces or control heating. Use a water-rated thermometer for submerged readings.

Regulate a compatible heater using separate day and night settings. The thermostat does not produce heat.

Fit check: HTDD controls compatible heaters up to 600 W, with no minimum load and a 0–50°C setting range. Socket I regulates the heater; socket II switches a separately verified load on a timer without temperature control. Never connect UVB to the dimming heater socket; the 600 W rating does not confirm T5 ballast compatibility. Guard the heater, secure the probe as instructed without tape and keep electrics dry. Check warm and cool areas with independent thermometers. The controller cannot cool a hot enclosure.

Spot-check basking surfaces and other accessible surfaces; use an air probe for air temperature.

Fit check: Use this for surface temperatures, with air probes for air readings. Follow the distance and spot-size instructions, and account for reflective surfaces. It cannot measure internal body temperature.

Provide a measured UV option alongside warm and cool opaque retreats.

Fit check: RARTP8S is a 8 W, 315 mm UK 220–240 V fitting. Keep it away from water and spray; IP20 is not waterproof. Follow the manufacturer’s minimum animal clearance of 250 mm. This is a safety limit, not a recommended mounting height or UVI target. Check the complete fitting length, guards and reachable animal positions. Measure UV Index through the installed screen at each reachable height, with full shade available. Use a separately verified lighting circuit, never a heater’s dimming outlet. Allow for pigmentation and keep opaque warm and cool retreats.

Measure UV Index at the animal’s reachable basking and resting positions, with the fitted screen and guards in place.

Fit check: Use a 6.5 or 6.5R UV Index meter, rather than a UVB irradiance meter. Measure all reachable positions and shaded retreats through the fitted screen and guards. You can borrow a suitable meter or arrange a competent exposure check instead of buying one. Confirm UK supply if buying.

Provide accessible drinking water in a small, clean dish.

Fit check: PT2801 measures 5.5 × 6.5 × 3 cm externally. Check the usable basin, stability, safe water depth and easy entry and exit for your animal. Outside measurements do not establish a soaking fit. Clean and refresh water at least daily and whenever soiled. This is a small drinking dish, not an adult snake, dragon, frog or tortoise basin. Tiny spiderlings may need a smaller receptacle.

PT2489; 0.5 L hand spray bottle. The Amazon title uses 16 US fluid ounces; this is not the conflicting 1.5/2 L pressure sprayer.

Use an existing suitable fine sprayer if you have one. Follow the individual wet-dry cycle; do not spray the animal, soak every surface or substitute misting for drinking water.

A manual misting tool only where the individual care plan calls for it. Use clean water, keep the bottle hygienic and free of chemicals, and do not spray directly at the animal. Check substrate/refuge moisture and drying/airflow rather than misting to a universal schedule.

Place or remove small food items without gripping the animal.

Fit check: Use for placing food or removing leftovers, never for gripping the animal, forcing a bite or striking its mouth. Keep tools separate between quarantine groups. Choose food and supplements separately for the species.