Day gecko has a vibrant, eye-catching appearance. It has bright green bodies with vivid red and blue markings. These colors can vary slightly depending on the specific species of day gecko. Day geckos are native to the islands of Madagascar and other parts of the Indian Ocean, including the Comoros and Seychelles. They thrive in tropical environments, often found in rainforests, where they can climb trees and bask in sunlight.
Their smooth, velvety skin is adorned with patterns that can include stripes, spots, or speckles. They have large, round eyes with vertical pupils, which gives them excellent vision. Their adhesive toe pads allow them to easily climb and stick to smooth surfaces, a skill they frequently use in the wild and captivity. The combination of their vivid colors and sleek, agile bodies makes day geckos one of the most visually captivating lizards, especially in natural or terrarium settings.
The scientific name for day geckos is Phelsuma. Day geckos primarily feed on a variety of insects, such as crickets, flies, and mealworms, providing them with essential protein. They also enjoy soft fruits, nectar, and specially formulated gecko diets, which offer additional nutrients for a balanced diet.
Day Gecko Size
Day geckos vary in size depending on the species, typically ranging from about 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) in length, including their tail. Smaller species, like the dwarf day gecko, reach around 4 inches, while larger species, such as the Madagascar giant day gecko, can grow up to 12 inches.
Day geckos generally weigh between 0.5 and 2 ounces (approximately 14 to 56 grams), depending on the species. Smaller species, like the dwarf day gecko, may weigh closer to 0.5 ounces, while larger species, like the giant day gecko, can reach around 2 ounces.
Day Gecko Lifespan
Day geckos typically have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in captivity with proper proper care. Also, with a perfect habitat, balanced diet, and minimal stress, day geckos can live up to 20 years.
Male vs. Female Day Gecko
| Feature | Male Day Gecko | Female Day Gecko |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Generally larger than females | Slightly smaller than males |
| Body Shape | Bulkier, especially around the head and neck | Slimmer body, with a less prominent head |
| Pores | Visible femoral pores on the underside of the legs (used for scent marking) | Smaller or absent femoral pores |
| Behavior | More territorial, especially around other males | Less territorial, generally more social |
| Coloration | Slightly brighter or more intense coloration in some species | Often subtler in color, though varies by individual |
| Tail Base | Thicker at the base of the tail due to hemipenes (reproductive organs) | Thinner tail base |
Day Gecko Behavior and Temperament
Day geckos are known for their active and curious behavior. Unlike many nocturnal geckos, day geckos are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. They are alert, quick, and love to explore their surroundings. Although they may be curious, they are also skittish and can be easily startled. So, you should limit your handling. They have delicate skin that can tear if handled roughly. They also enjoy climbing and moving among plants, branches, and other decorations in their enclosures. Their territorial nature, especially among males, means they should generally be housed alone or carefully monitored if sharing space with others.
How to Care for a Day Gecko?
To maintain your day gecko’s health, you need to be careful with their requirements, whether it’s diet, grooming, housing, or exercise.
Day Gecko Food
Day geckos can live on a diet that they eat in the wild. Like fruits, nectar, and small insects. In captivity, their diet typically includes high-quality, commercially available gecko food. This commercial food is specially formulated to provide essential nutrients. You can add fresh fruits like mango, papaya, or banana for more variety.
You can also offer protein sources, such as small crickets, mealworms, or waxworms, which are also essential to staying active and healthy. Dusting these insects with calcium and vitamin D3 powder a few times a week is important for preventing health issues and supporting bone health. If you offer this balance of fruits and insects, along with periodic vitamin supplementation, it will help your day geckos to be active and nourished.
Day Gecko Enclosure
If you want your day gecko to stay healthy and strong, free from health issues, you have to keep the necessities for caring for day geckos in mind, like their enclosure.
Day Gecko Tank Size
Day geckos are active climbers and need ample space to explore. For a single adult day gecko, a vertical enclosure of at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches is ideal. If you plan to house multiple geckos, go larger to avoid overcrowding and potential territorial issues. A glass terrarium with plenty of height and ventilation works best. You should ensure that the tank is escape-proof with a lid.
You can place stalks of bamboo, branches, or live plants like snake plants, bromeliads, or other tropical plants into the tank for climbing options and aesthetic appeal. Also, provide lots of cover and hiding spots to make your day gecko feel secure. Providing a spacious, enriched environment with room to roam and climb helps your day gecko feel secure.
Temperature for Day Gecko Tank
Maintaining the right temperature for the day gecko tank is crucial. Day geckos thrive in a warm environment, so aim to keep the tank’s daytime temperatures between 80°F and 88°F, with a designated basking area that reaches around 90°F. This temperature setup allows your gecko to regulate their body temperature by moving between warmer and cooler areas. At night, the temperature can drop to around 70°F.
You can use a low-wattage heat lamp or ceramic heater to help achieve these temperatures. Also, use a thermometer to check the right temperature. Proper temperature for day gecko tank supports their metabolism, digestion, and overall well-being.
Day Gecko Humidity Level
Day geckos thrive in a humid environment, with humidity levels between 60% and 80%. This humidity level keeps their skin healthy, helps in shedding, and helps prevent dehydration. You need to mist the enclosure once or twice a day, especially if the surrounding environment is dry. Additionally, you can incorporate some live plants in the habitat, which can naturally increase humidity and offer an enriching environment for your gecko. You can use a hygrometer to check humidity levels.
Day Gecko Light Setup
Day geckos require a well-balanced lighting setup to mimic their natural daylight environment. Since they are diurnal, they need bright, indirect light for about 10–12 hours a day. A combination of UVA and UVB lighting is essential for their health. UVB light helps with calcium absorption and overall metabolic health, while UVA light encourages natural activity levels and supports their circadian rhythm.
You can use a fluorescent UVB bulb near the top of the enclosure to cover the entire tank with UV rays. You need to be sure to use a bulb that provides both UVA and UVB lighting and replace it every 6–12 months. Because UVB rays diminish over time. Additionally, you should avoid placing the light directly on the gecko, as it can cause overheating. For nighttime, you can use a low-wattage heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter, as day geckos do not need light at night.
Day Gecko Substrate
Day gecko substrate should mimic their natural habitat and allow for easy cleaning while providing a suitable surface for climbing and burrowing. A mix of coconut fiber, reptile carpet, or orchid bark can be used as ideal substrates, as these materials retain moisture and help maintain the required humidity levels. They are also soft and gentle on the gecko’s sensitive skin.
You should avoid using loose substrates like sand or gravel, as they can lead to impaction if ingested and may be difficult to clean. It’s also essential to provide a layer of substrate that is deep enough to allow for some digging. You need to regularly clean the enclosure and replace the substrate when it becomes too dirty or starts to smell. This ensures a healthy environment for your day gecko.
How to Handle a Day Gecko?
Handling a day gecko requires patience and a gentle approach. Day geckos can be skittish and may become stressed if handled too roughly, so it’s important for you to start slowly and build trust. You can begin by allowing the gecko to get used to your presence. Avoid sudden movements, as this can startle them. When you’re ready to handle your day gecko, gently hold them with both hands and scoop them up from underneath.
Never grab them by the tail or body, as this can cause injury or stress. Hold the gecko gently but securely, allowing them to perch on your hand or fingers without feeling restricted. Keep handling sessions short at first, about 5–10 minutes, and gradually increase the time as your gecko becomes more accustomed to you.
Exercise For Day Gecko
Exercise for day geckos is essential; it allows them to climb, explore, and exercise. In their natural habitat, they move freely across trees and branches, so replicating this in captivity is crucial to their well-being. You need to provide exercise for day gecko and create an enriched enclosure with plenty of climbing structures, such as branches, vines, and plants.
Add various hiding spots and vertical spaces for them to explore, as day geckos love to roam and climb. It would be best if you regularly rearranged the layout of their enclosure. This will introduce new challenges and stimulate curiosity. Since they are fast climbers, they will naturally engage in a lot of movement by navigating around the tank.
Health Issues of a Day Gecko
Day geckos, like any pet, can face health issues if not properly cared for.
Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a common issue in geckos that occurs when they don’t get enough calcium or UVB light. It leads to weakened bones, deformities, and sometimes paralysis.
Shedding Problems: Day geckos shed their skin regularly, and sometimes they may have difficulty shedding, particularly around their toes or tail. This can cause retained shed, leading to discomfort and potential infections.
Respiratory Infections: Day geckos are susceptible to respiratory infections. Poor humidity or temperature fluctuations are the main cause of this infection. Symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing, and nasal discharge.
Parasites: Internal and external parasites can affect day geckos. Signs of parasitic infection include lethargy, weight loss, or abnormal stool. If you suspect your gecko has parasites, it’s important to seek veterinary care.
Dehydration: Dehydration can occur if day geckos are not provided with enough water or humidity. Symptoms include lethargy, wrinkled skin, and sunken eyes.
Grooming of Day Gecko
Grooming of day geckos is quite straightforward. They are generally low-maintenance when it comes to personal care. These geckos naturally shed their skin, and you can assist them by ensuring the humidity levels in their tank are appropriate, around 60-70%, which helps with smooth shedding. If you notice any stuck hair on their toes or tail, a gentle misting or a damp cloth can help loosen it.
You need to regularly check your gecko’s skin for any signs of injury, infection, or unusual discoloration, as healthy day geckos will have smooth, vibrant skin. Since their nails naturally wear down from climbing, they usually don’t require trimming, but keep an eye on them in case they become excessively long.
Where to Buy
When purchasing a day gecko, you should learn about the species’ needs, such as its diet, environment, and health problems. You can purchase them from a reputable pet shop. Additionally, please make sure the store is hygienic and sanitary for their reptiles. Another option is to purchase from a respectable Gecko breeder. Breeders can offer comprehensive details regarding the gecko’s ancestry, medical background, and maintenance requirements. Additionally, you can contact online breeders to choose the ideal day gecko for you.
It would help if you looked for indications of good health before buying a day gecko. Check for appropriate body weight, healthy skin free of discolorations or blemishes, and clear eyes. The average cost of purchasing a day gecko is around $40 to $150, depending on age, size, and where you buy it. Some rare or exotic types, such as the electric blue day gecko, can be more expensive. Additionally, prices may vary based on the breeder, location, and whether the gecko comes with a care package or enclosure setup. Day Gecko For Sale
Reproduction and Breeding
Reproduction and breeding of day geckos require attention and a suitable environment. Day geckos are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. The breeding season typically occurs in warmer months. Male day geckos often display courtship behaviors such as tail waving and head bobbing to attract a female. Once a female mates, she will lay eggs, usually two at a time, which she will bury in a secure location, such as under the substrate or in a small crevice within the enclosure.
The incubation period for day gecko eggs is around 60 to 90 days, which depends on temperature and humidity. It is important to maintain a warm environment during this time because cooler temperatures can slow or even prevent hatching. After hatching, the baby geckos, or hatchlings, are independent from the moment they emerge. So, you need to provide proper care for the hatchlings. You need to maintain the right temperature, humidity, and space to ensure their healthy growth.
Related Species
- Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)
- Golden Gecko (Gekko ulikovskii)
- Crested Gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus)
Interesting Facts About a Day Gecko
- Day geckos are known for their vibrant colors, ranging from bright green to shades of red, blue, and even yellow.
- Unlike most gecko species, day geckos are active during the day, making them easier to observe.
- Day geckos’ toe pads contain tiny hairs called setae, which allow them to stick to almost any surface, including glass.
- Day geckos make chirping or squeaking sounds, especially when they feel threatened or are communicating with other geckos.
- As tropical lizards, they require UVB light to synthesize vitamin D3, which is essential for calcium absorption and overall health.
- Day geckos have delicate, thin skin that can easily tear, so handling should be done with caution or avoided.
- There are over 60 species of day geckos, with the Madagascar giant day gecko and the electric blue day gecko among the most popular in the pet trade.
- Many day geckos have unique red or orange markings on their heads and bodies, making them easy to identify.
- Female day geckos usually lay two eggs at a time, and they may lay multiple clutches per year.
- Day geckos lack eyelids and instead have a clear membrane over their eyes, which they clean by licking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Do day gecko tails grow back?
Answer: Yes, if a gecko loses its tail, it can regenerate, but the new tail may look different in color or shape from the original.
Question 2: Are day geckos poisonous?
Answer: No, day geckos are not poisonous and are generally safe to be around, though they should be handled carefully due to their delicate skin.
Question 3: Do day geckos have eyelids?
Answer: No, day geckos lack eyelids. Instead, they have a clear membrane over their eyes and often use their tongues to keep it clean and moist.
Question 4: Do day gecko shed their skin?
Answer: Yes, day geckos regularly shed their skin as they grow. They often eat the shed skin to reclaim nutrients and avoid attracting predators in the wild.
Question 5: Are day geckos handleable?
Answer: Day geckos have very delicate skin and are best observed rather than handled, as handling can stress them and may even cause skin damage.
Question 6: Do day geckos have teeth?
Answer: Yes, day geckos have tiny, sharp teeth that help them catch and eat insects and other small prey.
Question 7: Can day geckos be housed together?
Answer: It depends. Females can sometimes be housed together, but males are territorial and should be kept separate to avoid aggression. It’s always best to monitor for any signs of stress or conflict.
Conclusion
In the end, day gecko care requires attention to their specific needs for housing, diet, temperature, and health. By providing a well-maintained habitat with appropriate heat, lighting, and humidity, you can ensure your geckos thrive. Gentle handling and grooming can help to build a bond and keep your gecko in good condition. They are adorable reptiles, so keep them safe to ensure a happy, healthy living life for many years.
