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ReptileTerrestrialIntermediate
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Crimson Giant Day Gecko
Phelsuma grandis
A stunning, large day gecko from Madagascar known for its vibrant green body and red dorsal spots. It is highly active, territorial, and requires a vertical, well-lit terrarium.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Gekkonidae
Genus:Phelsuma
Species:Phelsuma grandis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
25 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
25 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
32 - 35 °C
Adult size
11.8 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 80 L
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to northern and northwestern Madagascar, including surrounding islands such as Nosy Be. It primarily inhabits tropical rainforests but is highly adaptable, frequently found on palm trees, banana plants, and the outer walls of houses in rural areas.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Classified in the family Gekkonidae, genus Phelsuma, scientific name Phelsuma grandis. It was historically considered a subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis. Genetic isolation from mainland and island populations has established it as a stable, distinct species.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly diurnal and arboreal, which is unusual for geckos. It is highly active, bold, and territorial. Males will vigorously defend their home territory from rival males. They spend much of their day basking in direct sunlight on flat branches or leaves to regulate body temperature.
Morphology: One of the largest extant day geckos, reaching up to 28-30 cm in total length. It has a bright green to neon-lime body, decorated with brilliant red spots on the back and a red stripe running from the nostril to the eye. Skin is delicate with small, granular scales. Toe pads are highly adhesive.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium of at least 60x45x90 cm for a single adult or a pair. Furnish with smooth bamboo poles placed vertically and horizontally, along with sturdy live plants such as Sansevieria, Bromeliads, or Pothos. Use a moisture-retaining soil substrate.
Lighting and Heating: High-intensity lighting with a strong (10%) UVB bulb is mandatory. Maintain a daytime ambient temperature of 25-28°C (77-82°F) with a localized basking spot of 32-35°C (90-95°F). Nighttime temperatures should drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F) to mimic natural cycles.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity of 60-80%. Mist the enclosure once or twice daily with dechlorinated water. These geckos rarely drink from standing water bowls, preferring to lick water droplets off the leaves and smooth bamboo poles during and after misting.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous. Provide a diet of live gut-loaded insects (crickets, roaches, silkworms) and high-quality commercial powdered diets designed for frugivorous geckos mixed with water. Dust insects with pure calcium at most feedings and calcium with D3 twice weekly.
Compatibility: Highly territorial. Never house multiple males together. Even housing a male and a female together requires close observation, as aggressive behavior can result in severe skin tearing. Single-specimen housing is often the safest choice for beginners.
Health and Common Diseases: The skin of this species is fragile and tears easily as a defense mechanism; they should never be grabbed. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is common if UVB lighting or calcium supplements are inadequate. Shedding issues can occur if humidity is too low.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is native to northern and northwestern Madagascar, including surrounding islands such as Nosy Be. It primarily inhabits tropical rainforests but is highly adaptable, frequently found on palm trees, banana plants, and the outer walls of houses in rural areas.
Origin
Africa and Madagascar
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 11.8 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 11.8 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 11.8 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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