hatchling P. grandis tips

geckofan303 · #1 07-19-2011, 01:55 AM

Hey guys,

I just ordered a hatchling crimson giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis) from Jon klarsfield at giantdaygecko.com. I am soo excited. Does anyone have any tips for me? Is it ok that there is just one, or should it have a little company? I would really appreciate some helpful advice. this is not my animal, but is a hatchling crimson posted on giantdaygecko.com, so hopefully it looks just like this!!!!!!

daggekko · #2 07-19-2011, 07:01 AM

Hey, you should be ok with just one of them. They don't have to have company. If this is your first Phelsuma it is good to have just one as well so you won't have to experience fighting until you've gotten the hang of taking care of them. Jon participates on this forum so he'll probably get in on this. I don't keep grandis though so I don't know all the tips for the species.
Make sure your enclosure is set up and ready to go. It is important to figure out how warm/cold it gets. I use a thermometer from the hardware store that has an outdoor probe. This way I can move the probe around and see different temperatures. I also have a tempgun from Pro Exotics. It wasn't to expensive and bought it on impulse. I LOVE THE THING! Point and press the button and it will give you a temperature. This comes in handy so you can find out temps in many spots quickly. I also use it on the glass on the outside of the enclosures to find out how warm the air is(roughly). If your enclosure is set up before you get the gecko and you have worked out temperatures you will be in much better shape.

Make sure to spray the hatchlings enclosure daily. Some might say 2x day but I think 1x day is enough. I don't particularly like to spray before the lights go out because my room cools down a bit at night. I know a couple keepers here do spray after the lights go out. Just watch the night time temperatures if you decide to do this.

Feed daily for a few months. Don't put so much food in that there are bugs running around in the enclosure. It is helpful with babies to keep them full. They do much much much better when they have been eating well. Also, what kind of supplements did you buy?

I'd probably give Jon a call and have a list of questions to ask. Or wait and he'll probably get in on this! Good luck!

JIGSAW818 · #3 07-19-2011, 12:14 PM

Please post a Pic when you recieve the baby.!

geckofan303 · #4 07-19-2011, 12:39 PM

I purchased a reptical calcium supplement with D3, which is what my local herp shop recommended for day geckos. he will be in a 18x18x24 zoo med terrarium, and yes I will post some pics!

JIGSAW818 · #5 07-19-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckofan303

I purchased a reptical calcium supplement with D3, which is what my local herp shop recommended for day geckos. he will be in a 18x18x24 zoo med terrarium, and yes I will post some pics!

They are amazing I bought mine when she was a baby, and she is doing just fine 2 years later

You can go to my profile and click on find all posts by jigsaw818 and look at some pictures.. Take care!

JIGSAW818 · #6 07-19-2011, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckofan303

I purchased a reptical calcium supplement with D3, which is what my local herp shop recommended for day geckos. he will be in a 18x18x24 zoo med terrarium, and yes I will post some pics!

They are amazing I bought mine when she was a baby, and she is doing just fine 2 years later

You can go to my profile and click on find all posts by jigsaw818 and look at some pictures or click on all threads started by jigsaw818.. Take care!

geckofan303 · #7 07-19-2011, 12:55 PM

wow, very pretty gecko. any suggestions on safe plants other than snakeplants or orchids just to spice up the terrarium?

JIGSAW818 · #8 07-19-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckofan303

wow, very pretty gecko. any suggestions on safe plants other than snakeplants or orchids just to spice up the terrarium?

A pothos plant would work well In there just don't cover up the ground too much cause crickets and other critters can hide easily... they love bamboo just look up non toxic plants in google or search the forums under the site menu to your left click on "forum" then look for "naturalistic vivarium" I believe and search there I don't know a whole lot for plants only the common ones like in my terrarium... Don't put a "diffenbachia" plant in your terrarium those are toxic.

Any More questions just ask

P.S Cork bark background looks amazing

geckofan303 · #9 07-19-2011, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted on how my gecko does. I decided to name him fiji...don't ask why. I just thought something cute and tropical would work well for this little guy.

JIGSAW818 · #10 07-19-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geckofan303

Thanks for the help. I will keep you posted on how my gecko does. I decided to name him fiji...don't ask why. I just thought something cute and tropical would work well for this little guy.

No problem

any more questions just let me know