By Giant day geckos (Phelsuma grandis) are captivating reptiles that have gained popularity among reptile enthusiasts due to their vibrant colors and ideal size for home terrariums. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover all aspects of giant day gecko care, including housing, lighting, temperature, diet, and more to ensure the health and well-being of these beautiful pets.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Giant Day Geckos
Native to northern Madagascar, giant day geckos can also be found in gardens, huts, and tree plantations in the tropical rainforest region with hot and humid weather. These diurnal lizards are well-muscled and thick-bodied, making them an attractive choice for reptile enthusiasts looking for a visually stunning pet.
2. Giant Day Gecko Availability
Until the mid-1980s, giant day geckos were rare in reptile collections and considered highly prized captives. Nowadays, they can be found in local pet stores, online breeders, and reptile expos. Prices vary depending on age and color quality, ranging from $45 to $250. New or rare color morphs can cost considerably more.
Wild-caught giant day geckos are still sporadically imported from Madagascar, but environmentally conscious reptile keepers should insist on purchasing only captive-bred specimens to discourage the depletion of Madagascar’s fauna.
3. Giant Day Gecko Size and Lifespan
As the largest member of the day gecko group, adult males can reach a foot in total length, while females are typically 1 or 2 inches smaller. If cared for properly, giant day geckos can live for a long time, with records of them surviving for 20 years. However, the average lifespan is between 6 to 8 years.
4. Housing Your Giant Day Gecko
Enclosure
Giant day geckos do best when housed individually or in pairs, as males cannot be housed together due to their aggressive nature. At times, pairs may reject each other and fight, requiring separation. Some male/female pairs will bond for life and should not be separated, as they may not accept another mate.
A screen or glass enclosure measuring 24 inches tall by 24 inches long by 12 inches wide will comfortably house an adult pair. Since giant day geckos are arboreal, a vertically oriented enclosure is ideal.
Substrate
Various substrates designed for rainforest terrariums can be used successfully, including peat/soil mixtures, coconut fiber, and various bark chips. The particle size of the substrate should be large enough to prevent accidental ingestion by the geckos while catching insect prey, as this could lead to intestinal blockage.
Decoration and Plants
Giant day geckos thrive in well-planted, naturalistic terrariums. Bamboo is a favorite cage furnishing, as it is ideal for climbing, basking, and egg-laying. Live plants will add to the naturalistic design and increase enclosure humidity.
5. Lighting and Temperature
UVB Lighting
As diurnal creatures, giant day geckos require UVB lighting as part of their setup to survive and produce their best color. UVB lighting can be tricky, as the strength of UVB (measured by UV Index or UVI) must be considered in relation to distance. A highly reflective, reptile-specific fixture is recommended, and UVB bulbs must be replaced every 12 months to remain effective.
It is strongly recommended to use a Solarmeter 6.5 to determine the best placement to achieve a UVI of 3.0-4.0 in the basking area at the top of the enclosure.
General Illumination
Bright light with a color temperature of around 6500K should be provided in addition to UVB and heat lamps. Giant day geckos with access to bright lighting are likely to be more active, have better appetites, and display better color. Lamps such as the Arcadia Jungle Dawn LED Bar and Bio Dude Glow & Grow are excellent for this purpose.
Basking Area and Temperature Gradient
Giant day geckos need access to a basking area with an incandescent light bulb of appropriate wattage to maintain a 95 degrees Fahrenheit spot. The ambient temperature should range from 82 to 86 degrees during the day and 75 to 82 degrees at night. Captive giant day geckos will use this thermal gradient to thermoregulate to their optimal body temperature.
6. Feeding and Nutrition
Insects
Giant day geckos are opportunistic feeders, consuming various insects, fruit, small lizards, and even small mammals if given the opportunity. In captivity, they accept commercially bred insects such as crickets, waxworms, mealworms, and cockroaches.
Commercial Diets
Commercially available nutritionally balanced diets for frugivore lizards, such as Repashy Superfoods, are highly recommended for giant day geckos. Insects can be offered twice a week, and fruit diet once or twice a week.
Supplements
All insect prey should be dusted with a high-quality calcium/vitamin D3 supplement at every feeding. A multimineral supplement should also be used once per week. These supplements can be added to fruit-based diets as well.
7. Water and Humidity
Daily misting of the enclosure provides giant day geckos with their water requirement. They will lick water droplets from enclosure decorations. Misting also helps maintain the enclosure’s desired ambient humidity of 50 to 70 percent.
8. Handling and Temperament
While giant day geckos are primarily a terrarium species to be enjoyed within their enclosures, they may get to know their caretaker over time and accept food from their hand. Some may even tolerate brief periods of handling, but one should never grab a giant day gecko, as their skin could slough.
9. Health and Common Issues
Giant day geckos appear to be less susceptible to disease than other reptiles. This is likely due to inherent disease resistance and strong immune function. However, proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the health and well-being of your pet gecko.
10. Breeding Giant Day Geckos
Many enthusiasts who purchase giant day geckos intend to breed them. If maintained under the proper parameters, they will breed and lay eggs regularly. Captive maintenance of neonates is identical to that of adults, except that enclosures should be smaller, and food items should be sized appropriately.
Giant day geckos are a staple in reptile collections, and with continued selective breeding, improvements in color, tameness, and disease resistance can be expected. By following this comprehensive guide on giant day gecko care, you can ensure the health and happiness of these stunning pets.