Day Gecko Care

Geckos today are popularly being chosen as reptile pets. Their docility and easy maintenance have contributed to their elevated ranks on the popularity charts. Day geckos get their name from their diurnal lifestyle. This means they are active through the day, unlike other gecko species, which is why they are easier for the pet owner to take care of them. They blend well with the ambiance in a room, just like how an aquarium would do.

Day geckos belong to the genus Phelsuma and comprise over 60 species of all sizes and colors of lizards. Mostly, they appear in lovely bright colors (mostly green, ranging from olive green to turquoise) and striking patterns. Geckos have hook like structures which enable them to latch on to any surface like ceilings, glass walls, etc. They live for 3-15 years and may attain a length of 6.5 to 30 cm.

Their appearance is quite attractive, luring one to lift them up, however, their skin is very delicate, which is why they are more of viewable pets than interactive ones. If you are looking for a reptile you want to cuddle, then day geckos are not for you. However, if you strongly wish to keep a day gecko in your room, then let's check out some guidelines regarding its care.

Taking Care of a Day Gecko

The exact specifications for care would depend on the type of day gecko species one chooses to get. There's the giant day gecko, golden dust day gecko and lined day gecko that are quite popular pets. However, the overall care patterns will be the same.

Enclosure
Since geckos are climbers, they require vertically oriented glass vivariums. The size of the enclosure will depend on the size of the gecko chosen. For example, a giant day gecko will require a 2.5' x 2.5' x 2.5' enclosure or a 20 gallon tank. If you are keeping a pair of geckos, you need a larger enclosure. However, make sure you never keep two male geckos together. For the smaller species a 10 gallon tank is sufficient.

Place branches, stalks of bamboo, etc. inside the tank for the lizard to climb and since they need something to hide under, ensure that certain hiding places are provided for the gecko to feel secure. For the substrate, you can use a reptile carpet, newspaper or bark chips. You could prepare a suitable substrate by spreading a layer of gravel and pebbles and topping it with coconut fiber soil substitute. To seal the humidity levels in the substrate, top the substrate with moss. Top the glass enclosure with a mess wire, which prevents the lizard from climbing out and allows sunlight to light up the enclosure as well.

Food
Day geckos generally feed on insects, nectar, pollen, etc. In captivity one can feed them houseflies, wax moths, crickets, flightless fruit flies, etc. One can also give them mashed papayas and other soft fruits. Fruit baby food is also good. Add some vitamin and calcium supplements into the food. For water content, you could either spray the enclosure with mist or place a bowl of water. However, make sure you do not feed the insects found scurrying in your house, because they could be carrying various diseases and can infect your pet.

Lighting and Temperature
Since these day geckos are active during the day, they need something that bears semblance to sunlight in their enclosure. The mesh wire ceiling does allow sunlight to flood in, however, one should get a UVB bulb for the enclosure. The bulb should be used to give the gecko 10 hours of daylight and should be switched off at night. Around 80°F to 90°F is the ideal temperature for the gecko during the day, while less than 10°F is required at night. A heat gun or thermometer can help gauge the temperature. Around 55% to 75% of humidity is also required to be maintained in the enclosure.

Cleaning and Maintenance
The gecko's enclosure has to be cleaned on a daily basis. The feces have to be cleared and the water in the bowl should also be changed everyday. On a weekly basis, scrub the entire enclosure with 3% bleach solution. Wash thoroughly to get rid of all bleach smell. Add clean substrate and place the gecko carefully back into its sanctuary. One crucial point to be remembered is to avoid handling day geckos until necessary. Their fragile skin and scales can incur wounds with the slightest of touch. Before cleaning the enclosure, nudge the lizard into another container and carefully lift the container. This way you can avoid contact and protect your pet from injury.

These were some brief day gecko care instructions that you need to keep in mind before getting the pet home. However, before making the purchase at the pet store, make sure you conduct enough research about the species you are getting home and its maintenance details.