Giant Day Gecko - Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis
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General Information

Distribution — The giant day gecko is found in northern Madagascar and surrounding islands.

Habitat — This arboreal gecko is found on trees and banana plants in tropical rainforests. However, where human buildings are present in parts of its range, its is known to frequent walls.

Adult Size — The average adult size for this gecko is 28 cm (11"), males of this species are larger and more robust than females.

Temperament — Like most arboreal geckos, giant days are very skittish and do not tolerate handling well. They will often run off in an attempt to escape, sometimes even dropping their tales if restrained. This species is very fast and will not likely be seen again if dropped in a room with good hiding spots. It is for this reason that day geckos are best left behind glass!

Longevity — A giant day gecko can be expected to live between 15 and 20 years in captivity.

Captive Care

Rating: 2 — The giant day gecko gets a good rating despite being an animal not suited for a lot of handling. This rating is due to its constant availability as a captive bred animal, smaller size, and overall low maintenance. Day geckos are also very nicely coloured, which is another positive characteristic of this interesting reptile.

Diet: Young - crickets, mealworms, baby food served on a plastic lid; Adults - same, but larger sized insects

Temperature: 25OC to 29OC (76 to 85 F).

Space: A pair of giant day geckos can be housed in a minimum sized enclosure of 2'x2'x2'. Unlike other species of geckos, this species can only be housed singly or in pairs. This is due to the fact that females are just as territorial to other females as males are to other males. Lots of branches and vertical hiding spots are examples of proper furnishings for this arboreal gecko.

Breeding: Cooling is not absolutely necessary to induce breeding in this species. Once breeding does occur, up to six clutches of one or two eggs are laid every 2 to 6 weeks. Hatching occurs after an incubation period of 60 - 70 days at 28OC.

Special Requirements: Like most arboreal geckos, giant day geckos will not drink out of a water dish. They require daily misting to increase humidity and for drinking. A few squirts from a spray bottle should accomplish this task.

Sources (Suggested Reading):

Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1995. Geckos. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 104.

Rogner, Manfred. 1997. Lizards, Volume 1. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 317.

Henkel, Friedrich-Wilhelm and Wolfgang Schmidt. 1995. Geckoes. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 237

Henkel, Friedrich-Wilhelm and Wolfgang Schmidt. 1995. Geckos: Biology, Husbandry, and Reproduction. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 237

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