Madagascar giant day gecko — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Madagascar giant day gecko — origin: Northern Madagascar (humid forests and human-altered areas in the north of the island). Introduced populations in Florida, Hawaii and Réunion..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C

Cool side24–26 °C

Warm side28–30 °C

Basking spot30–32 °C

A diurnal basking spot is mandatory for this heliophilic species, which thermoregulates in the sun. Do not exceed ~33 °C: the species is sensitive to overheating, which is fatal beyond that. A night-time drop (20-22 °C) is beneficial. Respect both a horizontal AND a vertical thermal gradient.

Enclosure (adult)

45 × 45 × 60 cm

Planted vertical terrarium, ideally bioactive (arboreal species)

Minimum for a single adult (e.g. 45x45x60). For a pair, provide considerably larger (at least 60x45x90). Favour height and numerous vertical supports: bamboo, branches, vines and a large glass surface for climbing. High-level ventilation is essential.

Humidity

60–80 %

Background level of 50-60% with peaks of 80-90% after misting. Mist 1 to 2 times a day, then allow to dry. Good ventilation is essential to avoid stagnant air and mould (respiratory risk).

Substrate

Coconut fibreBioactive soilSphagnum mossOrchid barkLeaf litter

A bioactive setup is recommended (drainage layer + substrate + microfauna such as springtails/isopods + leaf litter). Robust live plants are advised (Sansevieria, Ficus, Pothos, bromeliads, bamboo), providing hides and egg-laying surfaces. Humidity comes mainly from misting, not from a waterlogged substrate.

UVB

Recommended

Essential for this diurnal species. T5 HO UVB tube 5-6% (Ferguson zone 2-3), positioned above an accessible resting spot and at the correct distance per the manufacturer. Replace every 12 months. Adequate UVB reduces reliance on dietary D3 and prevents metabolic bone disease.

Water source

Always available

Generally does not drink from a bowl: it licks droplets off leaves and glass after misting. Provide clean water via daily misting (1-2x/day); a small water point or drip system can supplement but does not replace misting.

Origin

Gekkonidae

Northern Madagascar (humid forests and human-altered areas in the north of the island). Introduced populations in Florida, Hawaii and Réunion.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore: insectivorous and nectarivorous/frugivorous — Crickets, roaches (Blaptica dubia), black soldier fly larvae (BSF), occasional waxworms; prey sized to the head

Supplement the insects with a day-gecko fruit/nectar purée (e.g. Repashy/Pangea) 2-3 times a week. High calcium needs: dust the insects with calcium (often without D3 if quality UVB is provided) and vitamins according to protocol. Breeding females: offer a free-choice calcium source (powder/cuttlebone). Avoid overfeeding (obesity, hepatic lipidosis).

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 1–2 eggs/young. Usually 2 eggs (sometimes 1), with repeated clutches every 3-4 weeks during the season. In P. grandis the eggs are most often NOT glued in captivity (unlike other Phelsuma) and can be removed for artificial incubation: ~50-70 days at 26-28 °C. Incubation temperature influences sex. Females are heavily drawn on for calcium: monitor the (endolymphatic) calcium sacs and the risk of egg binding. IMPORTANT: all Phelsuma, including P. grandis, are listed on CITES Appendix II (EU Annex B): transfer/sale requires the legal documents. Strongly favour captive-bred animals; wild-caught specimens acclimate poorly and are often parasitised.

Health watch points

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium/D3 deficiency or insufficient UVB
Egg binding (dystocia) and calcium depletion in breeding females
Dehydration and incomplete sheds/shed retention (insufficient humidity or misting)
Internal parasites (flagellates, coccidia), especially in wild-caught or stressed animals
Thermal stress / heatstroke and obesity from overfeeding

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Madagascar giant day gecko.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the madagascar giant day gecko.

Can the Madagascar giant day gecko be handled?▾

It is best to avoid handling it: its skin is very fragile and tears easily as soon as you grab it, which causes stress and skin injuries. This is above all an observation animal, lively, fast and skittish, to be admired rather than taken out of the terrarium.

What size does it reach as an adult?▾

It measures 22 to 30 cm long, including the tail, making it one of the largest Phelsuma. Males are generally more heavily built, with pronounced femoral and preanal pores and visible hemipenal bulges.

What terrarium suits this arboreal species?▾

A planted vertical terrarium, ideally bioactive, of at least 45 x 45 x 60 cm is enough for a single adult, but a pair requires considerably more, at least 60 x 45 x 90 cm. Height should be favoured, with numerous vertical supports (bamboo, branches, vines) and a large glass surface for climbing, along with good upper ventilation.

Can several giant day geckos be housed together?▾

This species is very territorial: it is better to keep it alone or as an already established pair, and never to put two males together, as they would fight. It is a bold and active animal, very pleasant to watch even without direct contact.

What temperatures and what risk of overheating?▾

A daytime hot spot of 30-32 °C is mandatory for this heliophilic species, which thermoregulates in the sun, with a warm ambient side of 28-30 °C and a cool side of 24-26 °C. It is essential never to exceed about 33 °C, because this species is sensitive to overheating, which can become fatal; a nighttime drop to around 20-22 °C is beneficial.

Is UVB essential?▾

Yes, absolutely, for this diurnal species: a 5-6 % T5 HO UVB tube (Ferguson zone 2-3) must be positioned above an accessible resting perch and replaced every 12 months. Adequate UVB reduces reliance on dietary vitamin D3 and prevents metabolic bone disease.

How do you manage humidity?▾

The background level should stay around 50-60 %, with peaks of 80-90 % just after misting, done 1 to 2 times a day and then allowed to dry. Good ventilation remains essential to avoid stagnant air and mould, which cause respiratory problems.

How does it stay hydrated if you never see it drink from a bowl?▾

This gecko generally does not drink from a container: it licks the droplets deposited on leaves and glass after the daily misting. A small water point or a drip system can supplement this, but never replaces misting.

What does the Madagascar giant day gecko eat?▾

It is an omnivore, both insectivorous and nectarivorous: crickets and roaches as prey sized to fit the head, supplemented 2 to 3 times a week with a fruit puree and a nectar formulated for day geckos. Its calcium needs are high, with a dusting of calcium at almost every meal and an unlimited source for breeding females.

What is its lifespan?▾

It commonly lives 15 years or more, with individuals reaching about 20 years under excellent care. It is therefore a very long-term commitment.

How does it breed and are there any legal rules?▾

It is an oviparous species that generally lays 2 eggs, with repeated clutches every 3 to 4 weeks during the season; unlike other Phelsuma, the eggs are most often not glued down in captivity and can be artificially incubated for about 50 to 70 days at 26-28 °C. Important: Phelsuma grandis is listed in CITES Appendix II (EU Annex B), so any transfer or sale requires the corresponding legal documents; captive-bred animals should be strongly preferred.

What health problems are the most common?▾

Metabolic bone disease from a deficiency in calcium, D3 or insufficient UVB remains the main risk, followed by egg retention in the breeding female heavily drawn on for calcium. Dehydration with incomplete sheds in the event of insufficient misting and thermal stress from overheating are the other points to watch.

Track your madagascar giant day gecko on ReptiNode

Create a free tracking log: weight, meals, sheds, health record, QR codes and breeding projects — with the built-in genetics calculator for over 200 species.

Create a free account