Madagascar Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)

Madagascar Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis
Name	Madagascar Day Gecko
Name Lat.	Phelsuma madagascariensis
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	Difficult
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	8-10 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	24 cm
Temperature	24-30 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	80 x 80 x 110 cm
US Units
Size	9.4"
Temperature	75-86 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	30" x 30" x 45"

Distribution and habitat

Madagascar day geckos occur in various habitats on the east coast of Madagascar and have also been introduced to Mauritius and Reunion. They mostly live in forests on large dead and hollow trees and as crop followers in gardens and plantations.

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. 80 x 80 x 110 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 35 °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 are distinguished from females by enlarged scale seams (preanofemoral pores) that run from the cloacal opening along the inner thighs

The female lays her eggs (2 pieces) in hidden and protected places. The incubation period is highly temperature dependent and is 50-60 days at a temperature of about 28 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

The life expectancy can be 8-10 years.

Species protection

They are exempt from the obligation to notify (Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) Appendix 5 to § 7 para. 2). Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The purchase receipt 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 appropriate sunny spots

Adult males are extremely territorial and incompatible with each other

For the resting phase, 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