Day gecko ID

fenway

New member
Got this gecko from a family member who got her from another family member.

I am told she is P. Grandis but they are not sure. She is about 7inches long and definitely female: she has laid eggs before.

What are the key differences between P. Grandis and P. Madagascariensis? Are they compatible breeding wise or housing together? I am looking to get her some company, as she has settled in and is very active in her new home.

Thanks!

IMG_20170327_155848.jpg
 

acpart

Well-known member
Yes, it's a giant day gecko. Based on some quick research on wikipedia and the reptile database (The Reptile Database) it seems that some people use the two names for this gecko interchangeably and others see them as separate species, where one was formerly a subspecies of the other.

Aliza
 

Kax

New member
Wow she is so pretty.....her colors are so vibrant. I know nothing about day geckos. Are they friendly?
 

fenway

New member
Thanks! I can't really tell the difference between those two database entries, but it helps to have reassurance with my assumption. Evidently P. Madagascariensis and P. Grandis can still interbreed, so not a huge deal either way.

She is gorgeous! There is a purple plant growth light on her as that corner is where I am wintering my plants, but it actually drowns out her colors a bit, imo. As far as personality, she was VERY timid when we first got her from my family members, but in recent weeks has become extremely friendly to my gf and I, even hopping on our hands and our arms when we treat her with nectar. Last time we let her do this she even chirped!

We have been socializing her for months, so even after ~3 years of rough handling and being stalked by cats at my cousins house, she is relaxing very well. So far, she has been a great pet. Day geckos seem like an ideal lizard species if you want one that will interact with you, and not just stand there like a rock 24/7. She is constantly interested in what you are up to, especially when there is food involved.
 

Aimless

Super Moderator
personally, I would not get her a buddy. day geckos can be super territorial, even girls, and if they decide they don't like each other their fighting is nasty.

and yeah, she's cute :D I'd vote probably grandis; when I had mad-mads their STL was between 5-6". most grandis I've seen are in the 7-9" range.
 

fenway

New member
A good point! And one that has concerned me. In your experience/viewpoint is this more of a danger with two females, or a male that gets rejected? Worst case scenario, I house them separately. I have an alternate tank hooked up by hamster tubes that I can modify to be a primary home for a second gecko if things go south in their relationship. But if there seems to be a low success rate in introducing them together... I will definitely rethink the plan and just give her the two tanks.

I was originally planning on making this tank a paludarium- half-water half-land. This was before I got her (family was trying to get rid of her), so it's half build already. Does anyone have any experience with day geckos and ~3inch deep water? I would not want her to drown.

All day geckos are really great looking animals. Would have never heard of them if she wasn't given to me.

Oh, should have introduced her as well. Her name is Fenway, hence the username.
 

Aimless

Super Moderator
it all depends on the individual geckos. aggressive fighting in day geckos is a larger issue with two males, but can happen between any two geckos. some are fine living together their entire lives, some are not. she'll be perfectly fine without a friend in the tank, but if you do decide to add another (after proper QT of course) just be very careful to supervise the introduction, and know that territorial disputes in the cage can crop up after time as well. lots of places to hide and cover will certainly help.

and I agree! day geckos come in so many gorgeous colors/patterns. I picked up a pair of juvenile Klemmeri last fall and just realized I need to update my signature :D
 

mkschaefer

New member
Phelsuma grandis. Phelsuma madagascariensis is a separate species and is generally smaller. There is also a smaller form of Phelsuma madagascariensis on Sainte Marie. The lateral red line near the eye in Phelsuma madagascariensis extends beyond the eye. Phelsuma madagascariensis also has tubercular like scales that appear to be more distinct than P. grandis. Behavior wise, most P. madagascariensis are quite bold and approachable and not as shy as grandis, though many, many grandis are not shy!

The most compatible groupings are 1.1 and most keepers advise keeping mature animals of the same sex together. Many species will not tolerate this or are kept in groups with multiple females to one male to limit aggression. If you don't plan on breeding them, just keep one singly.

Most of us don't have water sources other than misting systems or spraying them down. It seems risky to have deep water. You may be able to clean it easily, but these geckos poop a lot...and all over the glass.
 
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