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Day Gecko Care – Terrarium Set Up and the Best Supplies

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in feeding and diet, Geckos, habitats, Product Reviews, Reptile and Amphibian Health April 10, 2013 6 Comments 24982 Views

Gaily clad in brilliant, neon-hued colors, Day Geckos (Phelsuma spp.) are among the most desirable of all lizard pets, so here is a short article about Day Gecko care.  Many are hardy, long-lived, and relatively simple to breed…but only if they are housed in a properly-designed habitat.  Active and alert, these cautious animals fare poorly in bare enclosures, but are ideally suited for life in naturalistic, planted terrariums.  The security provided by dense plantings and well-placed branches will put Day Geckos at ease and allow you to view a wide range of fascinating behaviors.

Setting up the Terrarium

Day Geckos are highly arboreal and must have climbing opportunities.  “High-style” aquariums make fine homes.  A pair or trio of Spotted, Yellow-Throated or other small species can be kept in a 15-20 gallon aquarium.  A 30-55 gallon tank will accommodate the same number of Standing’s, Madagascar or Giant Day Geckos.  Always opt for the largest terrarium possible.

Phelsuma madagascariensis

Photo uploaded to Wikipedia Commons by Manuel Werner, Nürtingen, Germany

Day Geckos need spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitat.  Live plants such as Pothos and Philodendron will provide visual barriers between tank-mates and a sense of security.  Rolled cork bark and hollow bamboo sections make ideal hideaways and perching sites, and should be arranged both horizontally and vertically.

Be sure to establish plenty of basking sites near heat and UVB bulbs, as dominant individuals may exclude others from these important areas.

The terrarium’s screen lid must be tightly secured with clamps.

Substrate

A mix of potting soil, cypress mulch and sphagnum moss is ideal.

Light

Day Geckos will not thrive without a source of UVB light (but some notable exceptions are known; please see article below).  Natural sunlight is best, but be aware that glass and plastic filter out UVB rays, and that fatal overheating can occur very quickly.

Your geckos should be able to bask within 6-12 inches of a high-output UVB florescent bulb; the Zoo Med 10.0  Bulb, which I have used at the Bronx and Staten Island Zoos, has been shown to out-perform other florescent models.  Mercury vapor and halogen bulbs broadcast UVB over greater distances, and emit beneficial UVA radiation as well.  Be sure to provide shaded areas.

A daytime period of 12-14 hours should be established.

Heat

Ambient temperatures of 82-88 F, with a basking spot of 90-95 F, will suit most (please post below for information on individual species).

Incandescent spotlights may be used by day; ceramic heaters or red/black reptile “night bulbs” are useful after dark.

Provide your pets with the largest home possible, so that a thermal gradient (areas of different temperatures) can be established.  Thermal gradients, critical to good health, allow reptiles to regulate their body temperature by moving between hot and cooler areas.  In small or poorly ventilated enclosures, the entire area soon takes on the basking site temperature.

Humidity

Most Day Geckos are rainforest dwellers and do best in humid surroundings.  Their terrarium should be misted at least twice daily. If your home is especially dry, consider using a small reptile fogger to raise the humidity levels in the terrarium (please see photo).t243860

Companions

Males will fight savagely and cannot be housed together. Females are territorial, and must be watched carefully. Pairs, trios (1 male, 2 females) and youngsters may co-exist in large enclosures, but be sure to check dominant individuals do not prevent others from feeding and basking.

 

 

Further Reading

Keeping Day Geckos without a UVB Source

Gecko Overview

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6 comments

  1. avatar
    Tania Ghosh
    April 12, 2013 at 1:16 am

    Why a snake’s ‘mental scale’ is called so?

  2. avatar
    Laura
    November 3, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Hi Frank,

    I have spent most of the afternoon reading your site and posts, but have not yet found an answer to my question, though I do think I know the answer, I want to ask and be sure…
    My daughter sounds a lot like yourself – a true animal lover right from the start, with a deep fascination and love for reptiles, amphibians and fish… Since she was two she has said she would grow up to be a zoologist and veterinarian – preferably at a zoo. Anyhow, currently we have two tanks at home – one a true aquarium with various species, and one a vivarium. The vivarium right now has breeding fancy guppies, snails, cory cats, a pleco, an American toad, a tree frog and a fire belly toad. They have successfully lived together for a couple of years now. My daughter wants to get a bearded dragon and a Madagascar lined day gecko and has now saved up for them. We do have another large tank, but are wondering which ones can live together and which can’t. We are thinking that we could likely put the Gecko in with the toads, but aren’t positive, and that the dragon would have to go alone, but then someone suggested putting the dragon and gecko together… from my understanding, I believe they have pretty different needs in terms of their habitat – can you advise?

    Thank you!

    Laura

  3. avatar
    Brett Dailey
    December 20, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    Hi Frank,

    I have scoured the internet looking for an answer to my question but have had no success so I figured I would ask you. I have a lined day gecko in a fully live planted (2 varieties of Pothos, a thriving snake plant, and two other bromeliad-like plants whose name I cannot remember -they start with a d-), self sustaining 12x12x18 tall Exo Terra tank with what I believe is a Zoo Med or Exo Terra tropical UVA bulb and a Zilla 50w mini halogen bulb for heat. There is also a fully established cleaning crew (springtails and isopods). I make sure she has a small condiment cup with Repashy day gecko diet as well as another small condiment cup that I keep filled with fresh water for her (just in case she wants it).

    My question is this: in addition to the gecko diet, what would be a good and healthy live food source?I want to provide a live food source as that seems to get the most action out of her. One time, a fairly large fly somehow got into her tank and she spent no less than 30 minutes chasing and hunting it before finally catching it. I would like to be able to provide that same level of engagement and behavior on at least a weekly basis for her but cannot seem to get a solid answer on good liver feeder insects for a lined day gecko. I absolutely abhor crickets due to the increased parasite count, poor nutritional value, odor, and noise. I have tried tong feeding small hornworms but she seems to have little or no interest in them when they are on tongs or in a feeder dish. Ideally, something I can buy somewhat in bulk (25-75 at a time) and just toss in the tank for her to feed off of throughout the week would be perfect but also something that I can get fairly easily if needed to feed multiple times.

    Thanks,

    Brett

About Frank Indiviglio

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Being born with a deep interest in animals might seem unfortunate for a native Bronxite , but my family encouraged my interest and the menagerie that sprung from it. Jobs with pet stores and importers had me caring for a fantastic assortment of reptiles and amphibians. After a detour as a lawyer, I was hired as a Bronx Zoo animal keeper and was soon caring for gharials, goliath frogs, king cobras and everything in-between. Research has taken me in pursuit of anacondas, Orinoco crocodiles and other animals in locales ranging from Venezuela’s llanos to Tortuguero’s beaches. Now, after 20+ years with the Bronx Zoo, I am a consultant for several zoos and museums. I have spent time in Japan, and often exchange ideas with zoologists there. I have written books on salamanders, geckos and other “herps”, discussed reptile-keeping on television and presented papers at conferences. A Master’s Degree in biology has led to teaching opportunities. My work puts me in contact with thousands of hobbyists keeping an array of pets. Without fail, I have learned much from them and hope, dear readers, that you will be generous in sharing your thoughts on this blog and web site. For a complete biography of my experience click here.
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