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Reptile Vault
Care Sheet
Generated May 18, 2026
reptilevault.com

Giant Day Gecko

Phelsuma grandis

The giant day gecko is a stunningly beautiful Madagascar species featuring vibrant lime-green coloration with distinctive red markings on its back. As the largest of the day geckos, they reach 10-12 inches and make impressive display animals. Unlike most popular pet geckos (leopard geckos, crested geckos), giant day geckos are diurnal and arboreal, actively hunting and basking during the day. They are a look-but-don't-touch species - their skin is extremely delicate and can tear easily with handling, plus they are fast and flighty. Giant day geckos thrive in planted bioactive vivaria where their brilliant colors and active behavior make them living jewels.

Giant Day Gecko
Quick Facts
Care Level
intermediate
Adult Size
10-12 inches
Lifespan
10-20 years
Diet Type
omnivore
Activity
diurnal
Temperament
skittish
Group
lizard
Origin
Northern Madagascar
🌱

Beginner Suitability

First Reptile?no
Beginner Score5/10
⚠ Beginner Warnings
Extremely delicate skin that tears easily, not a handling pet, fast and flighty, requires planted vivarium setup
🤚

Temperament & Handling

Temperamentskittish
Handling Toleranceminimal
Handling Notes
NOT a handling pet. Skin is extremely delicate and tears easily when grabbed. Very fast and flighty. Best appreciated as display animal.
🌡️

Temperature & Humidity

Temperature
Basking90°F
Ambient80°F
Night72°F
Basking spot 88-92°F, ambient 78-82°F, cool areas 75°F. Night drop to 72-75°F.
Humidity
Target Range60% – 80%
High humidity 60-80%. Mist 2x daily. Planted vivarium helps maintain humidity.
💡

Lighting & UVB

UVB RequiredYes — Required
Target UVI1.0-2.0
Lighting Notes
Ferguson Zone 2-3. Diurnal species requiring UVB. T5 5-6% provides good exposure. They will bask under UVB.
🏠

Enclosure

Minimum Size18x18x24 vertical
Recommended Size24x18x36 vertical planted vivarium
Enclosure Typearboreal
🪨

Substrate & Environment

Substrate TypeBioactive mix (ABG) ideal. Coconut fiber works. Planted vivarium recommended.
Substrate Depth2-4 inches for bioactive
Water Featureno
Water Notes
Misting provides drinking water on leaves. Water dish can be offered but most drink droplets.
🦎

Activity & Behavior

Activity Patterndiurnal
Social Behaviorsolitary
Cohabitation
Males are territorial and will fight. Male-female pairs possible in large enclosures. Females may also be aggressive to each other.
Giant Day Gecko
Care Sheet — Diet & Nutrition
🍽️

Diet & Nutrition

Diet Typeomnivore
Feeding FrequencyEvery other day; CGD available constantly
Diet Notes
Insects (crickets, roaches) plus crested gecko diet (CGD). They love fruit-based CGD. Variety beneficial.
💊 Supplementation Schedule

Calcium without D3 on insects. CGD provides complete nutrition when offered.

✅ Recommended Foods
FoodCategoryCa:PUsage
Collard Greensleafy9.3staple
Black Soldier Fly Larvaeinsect7staple
Mulberry Leafleafy5staple
Turnip Greensleafy4.5staple
🚫 Foods to Avoid
FoodToxicityCategory
Avocado☠️ fatalfruit
Fireflies☠️ fatalinsect
Foxglove☠️ fatalflower
Garlic☠️ fatalvegetable
Giant Day Gecko
Care Sheet — Health & More
⚕️

Health & Critical Care

Skin tears, MBD, stuck shed, parasites, egg binding (females)
Health Notes
Skin tears are the main concern - never grab or restrain. Stuck shed especially on toes can cause toe loss.
🥚

Breeding

Difficultymoderate
SeasonYear-round in captivity
Clutch Size2 eggs per clutch; multiple clutches yearly
Incubation55-65 days at 80-82°F
Sexual Dimorphism
moderate
Breeding Notes
Eggs often glued to surfaces. Females need calcium for egg production. Prolific breeders.
💰

Cost & Availability

Price Rangemoderate
Availabilitycommon
🌍

Native Habitat

Native RegionNorthern Madagascar
Habitat Typerainforest
Climate Notes
Tropical rainforest and forest edges. High humidity with warm temperatures year-round.
📋

Legal & Conservation

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
CITES Listingappendix ii
Legal Restrictions
None for captive bred.
Generated by Reptile Vault — reptilevault.com/species/giant-day-geckoThis care sheet is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice.

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