Phelsuma Madagascariensis Grandis - Care and Maintenance in Captivity

Care and Maintenance in Captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs or singles and need a large, well planted terrarium. When housed alone they should have at least a 10 gallon terrarium. When housed in pairs they should have at least a 29 gallon terrarium. These geckos need many limbs to crawl and bask on. They prefer horizontal and diagonal ones. Giant day geckos need UVB and UVA. UVB 5.0 is the level they need. They need UVB because it helps them absorb calcium. The temperature should be between 25 and 28°C, never falling below 17°C, and never exceeding 36°C. The humidity should be maintained between 65 and 75%. These geckos desiccate easily and quickly, so falling below this range can be dangerous. Keeping the geckos at humidity above this range can be done, but levels which are too high can introduce dangerous bacteria quickly. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, wax worms, pinky mice, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies dusted with calcium supplement.