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Care sheet

Giant Day Gecko

Phelsuma grandis

Also known as: Madagascar Giant Day Gecko

Gekkonidae · Squamata

IntermediateCITES IIIUCN LC
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Temperament
Hands-off
Adult length
9–12 in
Lifespan (captivity)
6–10 yrs
Native range
Northern Madagascar (introduced elsewhere) — tropical forest

Care guide

Overview

Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis) — a brilliant green, diurnal, arboreal gecko that basks openly and eats both insects and fruit/nectar diets. A stunning display animal; its delicate skin means it should not be handled.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
72–78 °F
Warm side
80–85 °F
Basking spot
88–92 °F
Nighttime
68–74 °F
Humidity (ambient)
60–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T5 HO
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Arboreal
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingNot specified
  • JuvenileNot specified
  • Adult18x18x24 in (tall) planted; bamboo/cork for vertical basking

Housing

Substrate

Safe options
bioactive soilcoco fibersphagnum moss
Avoid
cedarpinedry-only substrate

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Omnivore
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • JuvenileDaily
  • AdultInsects 3-4x weekly + prepared gecko diet (nectar/fruit) 2-3x weekly
Supplementation

Calcium-dust feeders; complete powdered day-gecko/crested diet supplies fruit/nectar and vitamins.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Mist daily; day geckos lick droplets. A small water feature is optional.

Legal & ecology

Conservation

CITES
Appendix II
IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern
Wild populations

CITES Appendix II (all Phelsuma). Brilliant green display gecko; skin tears easily, so avoid handling.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Phelsuma grandis — species account

    Animal Diversity Web, U. Michigan

    academic

    Madagascar range, diurnal basking, omnivorous diet.

    Published: 2020-01-01

  2. Phelsuma grandis — IUCN Red List (LC)

    IUCN

    government

    Least Concern; CITES Appendix II.

    Published: 2019-01-01

  3. Giant Day Gecko Care

    Josh's Frogs

    breeder community

    Planted vertical setup, UVB, insects + prepared diet, no-handling guidance.

    Published: 2021-01-01

Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis) care sheet — Herpetoverse