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Giant Day Gecko

Phelsuma grandis

Also called Madagascar giant day gecko, Madagascar day gecko, Großer Taggecko (German)

SpeciesShort profile

From Northern and northwestern Madagascar, including the island of Nosy Komba. Introduced populations exist in Florida, Hawaii, Réunion and Mauritius.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length23 to 30 cm1 3 2

Lifespan15 to 20 years3

Sizesmall

Vivid green colour

Active during the day, so easy to watch

Long-lived

1 3

Looks how to spot one

Slim, day-active climbing gecko with sticky toe pads

A large, sleek day gecko built for climbing, with broad adhesive toe pads and smooth, brightly coloured skin. Like other day geckos it has round pupils and no eyelids, and it licks its eyes to keep them clean. Adults often carry small calcium stores visible as bulges on the sides of the neck.1 3

ColoursBright greenOccasionally bluish-greenRed stripe from nostril to eyeRed dots or bars on the backCreamy white to yellow belly1 3

Personality what they are like

A lively, alert gecko that is best enjoyed as a display animal. It usually moves slowly but can dash off quickly when startled. Keepers are advised never to grab it; let it climb onto a hand or take insects from fingers instead.1 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Diurnal and arboreal; needs a tall planted enclosure with branches and smooth surfaces to climb, plus bright light.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Interaction is best limited to hand-feeding or voluntary climbing. Replace UVB bulbs every 12 months and keep the enclosure secure, as day geckos are quick escapers.3 1

Home where they are happiest

At least 60 x 60 x 120 cm (24 x 24 x 48 in), larger where possible. Basking 29-32 C (85-90 F), cooler zone 25-28 C, nights 23-25 C. Average humidity 40-75%. UVB lighting is required, with about 13 hours of light in summer and 11 in winter. About 5 cm of moisture-holding tropical substrate.3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Omnivore. Feed gut-loaded insects such as crickets, roaches and hornworms, plus a fruit-based complete gecko diet. Juveniles get insects daily and the gecko diet every other day; adults get insects 2-3 times a week and the diet once a week. In the wild they also lap nectar and pollen and eat soft fruit.3 1

Company who they like around

Usually kept alone. A male-female pair or a group of females can work in a proportionally larger enclosure; males do not tolerate each other.3 1

The story where it all began

John Edward Gray described the species in 1870. It was long treated as a subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis until Raxworthy and colleagues raised it to full species in 2007.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The genus Phelsuma is named after the Dutch physician Murk van Phelsum.1
2
The species name grandis is Latin for 'great', referring to its size among day geckos.1
3
In the wild it shows a liking for red or yellow nectar.1
4
Egg incubation temperature influences whether hatchlings are male or female.2

Recognised by the official bits

The Reptile Database: Valid species Phelsuma grandis Gray, 18702
IUCN Red List: Least Concern1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Giant Day Gecko. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Fresh waterevery day
Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
Spot cleanevery day
FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
Weigh inevery month
Full cleanevery month
Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

Phelsuma grandis - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, body, colours, behaviour, diet, history, IUCN, fun facts
Phelsuma grandis - The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.czused for taxonomy, distribution, names, maximum size, TSD
Giant Day Gecko Care Sheet - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for care, habitat, diet, social needs, size, lifespan, handling

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.