Madagascar Day Gecko
Phelsuma madagascariensis
A large and showy diurnal lizard of the Malagasy forests. Although often confused with the 'grandis' species, it is slightly smaller in size with less dense red patterns, but retains the same emerald charm and strong visual intelligence.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
60 - 80 %
Température diurne
24 - 28 °C
Température ambiante
24 - 28 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 22 °C
Point de repos chauffant
32 - 34 °C
Taille adulte
26 cm
Enclos minimal
>= 80 L
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the coastal humid tropical forests and wooded areas of eastern Madagascar. It adapts well to agricultural areas, plantations, and gardens with tall trees, living a strictly arboreal lifestyle.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the Gekkonidae family. The Madagascar Day Gecko (*Phelsuma madagascariensis*) is a large diurnal species characterized by a vibrant bright green body, irregular red spotting, and a red line between eye and nostril.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal, highly active, and territorial. They spend the day exploring and hunting, defending their territory from other day geckos. Males show extreme intolerance towards one another.
Morphology: Adults reach 22-24 cm in total length. It is morphologically more slender than the closely related *Phelsuma grandis*. Males are distinguished by prominent femoral pores and a wider tail base.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: A vertically oriented glass terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm, ideally 60x45x90 cm for a pair) is required. Mandatory decor includes large-diameter hollow bamboo poles placed diagonally and sturdy broad-leaved live plants.
Lighting and Heating: Provide mandatory UVB lighting (5.0 or 6%) for vitamin D3 synthesis. Use heating lamps to create a localized basking spot of 32-34°C, keeping the rest of the enclosure at 24-26°C with a nighttime temperature drop.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires high relative humidity between 60% and 80%. Day geckos drink by licking water droplets from leaves and glass, making regular morning and evening misting essential.
Feeding and Supplementation: Omnivorous diet. Provide high-quality powdered fruit diets mixed with water 2-3 times a week, alternated with live insects (crickets, roaches) dusted with calcium and vitamin D3.
Compatibility: Territorial species. Keep individually or in established male-female pairs. Never house two males together, as they will fight, and monitor pairs for female-directed aggression.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to metabolic bone disease (MBD) if calcium or UVB lighting is inadequate. Their skin is extremely fragile and susceptible to tearing if grabbed; handling is discouraged. Tail autotomy is possible.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to the coastal humid tropical forests and wooded areas of eastern Madagascar. It adapts well to agricultural areas, plantations, and gardens with tall trees, living a strictly arboreal lifestyle.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de reptile
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- The Madagascar Day Gecko enjoys a diverse, omnivorous diet heavily reliant on both arthropods and sweet plant secretions. They are adept hunters of insects such as moths, crickets, and flies, while simultaneously foraging for ripe fruits and floral nectar. In captivity, it is crucial to provide a balance of calcium-dusted live feeder insects and specialized, high-quality fruit formulas to ensure complete nutrition.
- Espérance de vie
- 8-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 26 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Arboreal. They are excellent climbers adept at navigating dense tropical foliage, bamboo, and smooth vertical surfaces.
- Cycle d'activité
- Diurnal
- Diurnal geckos that love bright lighting. They spend their days basking to thermoregulate, as well as hunting and licking fruit puree.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- Being robust and intensely active, these diurnal geckos confidently explore their arboreal environment throughout the day. They are fiercely territorial, with both males and females displaying aggressive behaviors toward intruders to defend food sources and basking sites. Their skin is incredibly delicate and can tear easily as a defense mechanism to escape the grasp of predators, making handling strongly discouraged.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Females of this species lay two hard-shelled eggs at a time, often attaching them to the inside of hollow logs or the axils of large tropical leaves. They are prolific breeders, capable of producing several clutches per season if conditions remain optimal. After an incubation period of around two months, the vibrant hatchlings emerge and require immediate feeding and a highly humid microclimate.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- Strictly display only. As with all Phelsuma, grasping them can result in massive skin tearing and tail autotomy.
- Brumation
- No brumation is required. Keep their environment warm and humid throughout the year to maintain optimal health.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Shedding requires a high-humidity environment (60-80%). They will meticulously pull off and eat the old skin.
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