Abbott's Day Gecko (Phelsuma abbotti)

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Abbott's Day Gecko
Phelsuma abbotti
Abbott's Day Gecko (Phelsuma abbotti)
Name Abbott's Day Gecko
Name Lat. Phelsuma abbotti
Family Geckos
Family lat. Gekkonidae
Order Scaled Reptiles
Order lat. Squamata
Origin Madagascar
Habitat Forests
Diet Insects, fruits
Humidity 70-90 %
Behavior ♂ territorial
Keeping Pair, harem
Care Level Moderate
Reproduction Oviparous
Housing Humid terrarium
Life Span 10-12 years
Protection CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size 12 cm
Temperature 24-30 °C
Temperature Local 35-40 °C
Housing Size 50 x 50 x 70 cm
US Units
Size 4.7"
Temperature 75-86 °F
Temperature Local 95-104 °F
Housing Size 20" x 20" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

Abbott's day geckos occur in a variety of habitats in northern Madagascar near the coast and in the southern Seychelles. They live on palms, deciduous trees, banana shrubs and occasionally on shrubs, as well as in gardens and houses as cultivators.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals 6KRL x 6KRL x 8KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. 50 x 50 x 70 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

You need a terrarium with partly vertical climbing branches and branch cavities as well as plants, like Ficus, Bromeliads, Sindapsus etc. (hiding and shadow places), structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a substrate of forest soil-peat mixture and a water basin (waterfall). The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 24-30 °C Temp. night: 20-23 °C Temp. local: up to 40 °C Humidity: 70-90 %

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The diet consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, zophobas and mealybug larvae; alternatively, special ready-made food for geckos or insectivorous reptiles can be offered, supplemented with some fruit pulp, sweet fruits (e.g. bananas, papaya), flower pollen and honey (lick bowls). Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts because of their large fat content. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting of feed) is important. Drinking water must always be available, but is preferably taken in drop form from leaves or furnishings. A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have enlarged scale seams (preanofemoral pores) running from the cloacal opening along the inner thighs.

The female lays her glued-together eggs (2 pieces) in hidden and protected places, such as rock crevices or branch forks. The incubation period is strongly temperature dependent and is 60-80 days at 26-28 °C. Small insects, such as fruit flies and micro crickets, are suitable as initial food

Life expectancy can be 10-12 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported to the competent authority in writing immediately after the start of keeping. Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Protection of species: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe!

Important

With their lamellar toes (adhesive toes) they can also climb on smooth, vertical surfaces (e.g. glass). They are sun-loving and require sunny spots

Adult males behave very territorial and are incompatible with each other

For the dormancy period, shorten the lighting duration by 2-3 hours and lower the temperature by 3-4 °C for about two months.

With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF