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Madagascar Giant Day Gecko
Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis
The Madagascar Giant Day Gecko is bright green with red bars on both sides of its head from nostril to eye. It has red bars and spots on its back which vary from individual to individual. This gecko averages from about 9 to 11 inches in length. Females are slightly smaller than males. These lizards are strongly built. The tail is about equal in length to the body. Toes have adhesive pads. Eyes are large with round pupils.
These lizards are diurnal and arboreal.
In the wild, the geckos eat bugs and some fruit and honey.
These geckos are relatively easy to care for in captivity.
Suggestions for captive care:
Food: 10-12 crickets and RepCal mango baby food one to three times a week (crickets given on alternating days from baby food). Neonates will eat on the same schedule but they require smaller amounts of crickets and watered down servings of the baby food.
Vivarium: Medium - small sized area required; VitaLite; Branches; Substrate = sansevieria plant and sphagnum moss or newspaper (newspaper is easier to replace and therefore can make for a cleaner living area than the plant substrate); Heat source; Hide area; Water bowl; Temperature - day = 70 to 80 degrees F. night = 68 degrees F.
Humidity: 60 - 80%; Adults should be misted once a day. Younger animals should be misted twice a day.
Breeding: Clutches usually consist of two eggs; Females may have several clutches a year; Egg incubation = fluctuation of 69 to 86 degrees F. for 2 - 3 months.
Source: Colville, Ray "Madagascar Giant Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis." Newsletter of the Great Lakes Herpetological Society, September, 1994.
