Description
There are many types of day geckos out there, but the largest species is Phelsuma Grandis. Phelsuma grandis, also known as the Madagascar Day Gecko or Giant Day Gecko, reach a maximum length of 12 inches long though they start out smaller than your finger. The color of their bodies are vivid green or in rare instances, bluish green. A red stripe spreads to the eye from the nostril. There are usually colored red dots or bars on the back. These red marks are random in placement and in some cases, are entirely absent, but there is still a line stretching from the nostril to the eye. Tiny blue spots can occur in some specimens.
Young individuals of the genus sometimes look much redder than their parents, but many of the markings disappear as time progresses, leaving other markings that will linger for the rest of the life of the gecko. A creamy white that extends to a pale yellow is on the underside of these species. The coloration darkens when agitated, leaving the entire animal a dark green and the red stripes more orange in colour on the face and back. On adult giant day geckos, stored calcium sacks can be seen on their necks, specifically females. Giant Day Geckos have no eyelids so as to keep their eyes moist and clear they lick them clean. Day geckos can 100% walk slowly, but if startled, can bolt without warning..
Male giant day geckos may be very territorial and aggressive, often any males in their accepted space may not be tolerated. They would only authorize the entrance of females into their territories. In captivity, where the females can not flee, a female can even be severely wounded by the males on occasion. The male and the female have to be seperated in this situation. Breeding behavior includes, the shaking of the tail or body, vocalizing, and if the female does not accept the male she may turn a darker green. However, when a female does accept a male’s responses, they will breed, and she will become gravid. The term gravid simply means she is with egg. Or rather multiple eggs. Their breeding season is from December-June and the species has a gestation period of about approximately 50-80 days.
Care
Wanted for their beautiful coloring, phelsuma grandis are considered exotic pets and aren’t recommended for beginners. Due to their flighty nature, many owners have had them escape on numerous occasions. Luckily for these owners, day geckos are naturally curious and brave little creatures so they're easy to find, but hard to catch. Inquisitive and skittish, these guys should be kept in at least a 18x18x24 enclosure. Bioactive enclosures are recommended and should contain live plants and bamboo/branches for places to bask and hide. The temperature should range from 75-80 F throughout the tank and up to 95 F in their basking spots. The humidity should always be between 60-70% and this can be achieved with high ventilation, misting or a microclimate. This should be monitored with a hydrometer. These tanks should also have UVB bulbs to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Giant Day Geckos are omnivores. They love both fruits and insects and eat plenty in the wild. In captivity, there are feeder insects and gecko diet mix specifically made for different geckos. Feeder insects consist of waxworms, mealworms, and fly larvae and should be dusted with calcium. Owners can put them or the food mix in mounted food dishes so the geckos can access them better.