About Giant Day Geckos

There are over 60 species of day gecko that originate from Madagascar, eastern Africa and several Indian Ocean islands. One species in particular, the giant day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, is a brightly colored lizard that is becoming increasingly popular as a pet. Before deciding to keep a giant day gecko in captivity, it is important to learn more about them and their needs.

  1. Description

    • The giant day gecko is bright green in color, with varying amounts of red and orange spots of color down the head and neck. Young geckos and ill or stressed geckos are darker in color than healthy adults. This "giant" species of gecko ranges from about nine to twelve inches in length (females are smaller than males) and has a life span of between 10 and 20 years. As with all geckos, the giant day gecko possesses a tail with fracture planes, or weakened areas of the tail anatomy, that will allow the tail to break off so that the gecko can escape predators. The tail will regenerate eventually but will never look exactly like the original.

    Behavior

    • Male geckos can be very territorial and will exhibit aggression if another male is nearby. However, females are allowed to enter a male's territory, as males and females get along well. Breeding behavior includes body and tail shaking and vocalizing. Giant day geckos are usually slow movers unless startled; then, they are agile and quick and can easily escape enclosed areas. Because the geckos do not have eyelids, they lick their eyes often to keep them moist. Giant day geckos generally do not like being handled and may bite if they feel threatened.

    Diet

    • The giant day gecko is an omnivore and eats both insects and fruit. In the wild, this lizard loves flower nectar and a variety of insects. In captivity, the geckos should be fed insects such as crickets, mealworms, silkworms and roaches but should also be given a fruit-honey mixture supplemented with vitamins. They also need to be kept hydrated with a constant supply of water.

    Housing

    • Giant day geckos need a fairly large, well-ventilated enclosure, such as a 10-gallon terrarium if housed alone, or a 20-gallon unit if in pairs. Never house two males together! The terrarium should have plenty of foliage and branches to crawl on, hide in and bask on. The terrarium should be misted a couple of times a day to provide beads of water, as this is the geckos' preferred method of obtaining hydration.

    Temperature

    • If possible, house giant day geckos near direct sunlight, or provide a heat lamp with UVB rays. These lizards need UVB rays to absorb calcium. Ideally, the temperature should remain between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with around 65 to 75 percent humidity. If the humidity is any higher, the risk of introducing dangerous bacteria increases greatly.