[AnthonyA]

I should be getting a pair of Phelsuma Grandis for a 24x18x24 or 18x18x24 (inches).

Two questions...

I know these geckos are arboreal, so does the extra length of the 24x18x24 really matter? Could I be fine with an 18x18x24?

Second question, what are these geckos natural habitat? I know it is forests, but no specifics. Is it a bamboo forest, because I know some phelsuma love bamboo. Or can they get by with Mopani wood? Which of the two, mopani or bamboo, are more like their natural habitat?

Thanks in advance.

[ajb28221]

If you are planning on getting a pair you should definitely go with the 24x18x24, I have both sizes and the extra room in the 24 is much better for a pair since it will allow them to have their own room to chill. Grandis are most popularly found in bamboo forests so that is usually the choice of wood by keepers, and they love it bc it is smooth. I'm actually waiting for the fedex guy to get here now to bring me my bamboo for my 24x18x24 build I'm doing for my grandis, you can check out the pics I'll be uploading later tonight! Any questions feel free to ask, lots of people on here know what theyre talking about and you should get the right info!

[Isis]

Hi!
I keep mine in 24x18x24 - the extra space is always a good choice, especially if you plant the vivarium well with many plants. The extra space is used for jumping and exploring and the territory of male and female is bigger so they feel more relaxed together and theyrather run than fight.

Bamboo is not a must, I've seen some setups with no bamboo sticks at all, but every phelsuma just loooveees the bamboo It has an even texture so their toepads stick to it perfectly and they like it. The mopani tree is rough in touch so they would choose bamboo over it, but if you plant lots of Sansevieria or Zamioculus plants they would be perfectly happy with it.

[AnthonyA]

Are there any online places to get dried bamboo rods?

[Hannibal]

Originally Posted by AnthonyA

Are there any online places to get dried bamboo rods?

Our local Michael's craft store carries them all the time; Wal-Mart, Target, & Home Depot carry them off-n-on throughout the year. They usually have the thin 3-4' long ones and the 2" diameter 6' long ones.

[PiTi]

Hi! I strongly recommend you to read this thread - Madagascar Giant Day Gecko Questions

Originally Posted by Ingo

Adult grandis exceed 10" and are arboreal geckos. As a rule of thumb, for arboreal lizards the tank should be at least 4 times as tall as the total length of the animal. For grandis, it should be at least 3.5, better 4 or 5 ft tall. I know that you guys in the US do have a tendency for small tanks. But I stick to recommend looking primarily at the natural behaviour of the animals to keep and choose the tank according to their needs. A 24" tall tank binds arboreal animals of the size of a grandis literally to the floor. Here in Europe, recommended miminum tanks sizes for a single grandis or a pair are like 50 x 80 x 100 cm (~20 x 30 x 40"). This is well accepted and reasonable. No doubt that many geckos, including grandis live long and breed in even the most unappropriately sized tanks. But after all, we do not want to imprison our herps but provide an apt replacement for their natural territory, don´t we?

Now I have my pair of grandis in 60/45/65 cm tank by this year I want to get them bigger tank, as I want them to feel much more comfortable. Plus this way I will have additional enclosure for another Pselsuma .

[AnthonyA]

Thank you to everyone for the help! I now have a good idea about what to do.