Day geckos belong to the family of geckos. All day geckos are of the genus (Phelsuma). There are more than 50 species and subspecies of the day gecko, some of which are very rare. Day geckos are found in Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Four more species may be legally exported Madagascar, these are the Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis, with the subspecies grandis and kochi), the peacock-eyed day gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata), the striped day gecko (Phelsuma lineata) and the (Phelsuma laticauda).
Day geckos are, as the name implies, are active during the day.
Day geckos, unlike their nocturnal relatives, are brightly colored and have adhesive discs on their legs, allowing the animals to walk up smooth vertical walls.
You may also want to read about the fat tail gecko.
Diet
Day geckos can be fed a variety of powdered insects and sweet fruits. Water is rarely drunk by day geckos from a bowl; the geckos lick the sprayed water from the rocks to meet their daily fluid requirements. Geckos like to lick a hardened mixture of honey, soft brown sugar, calcium powder and a pinch of vitamins.
The food does not have to be given live. It can be given with feeding tongs. When wiggled with these, a live prey is imitated.
Nutrient requirements
The natural food day geckos eat is much more varied and rich in nutrients than food animals. Thus, it is important to add vitamins and minerals to the day gecko’s diet. This can be done by powdering insects and other food animals with a multi-vitamin and mineral preparation. The animals should be provided with small pieces of meerschaum for calcium supplementation.
Vitamins
Vitamin A deficiency causes eye and skin problems. These problems can be solved by adding vitamin A to the food. Vitamin B deficiency causes skin and digestive problems. Vitamin D3 is needed for calcium absorption. Vitamin D3 is made in the skin using ultraviolet light (sunlight). Ultraviolet light cannot pass through glass. Vitamin D3 or ultraviolet light should be given to animals in a glass vivarium. Vitamin E is conducive to fertility and is commonly found in fruits or germs. Vitamin H is necessary for metabolism; deficiency can cause flaky skin, muscle weakness and retarded growth.
Minerals
The day gecko has an internal skeleton, calcium (calcium) and phosphorus are needed to build it up. The food should contain 1.5 times more calcium than phosphorus. A calcium deficiency, in the food, can cause rickets. This results in the animal having spongy, deformed and weak bones or poor egg hatching (deformed or dead young).
In addition to calcium and phosphorus, sodium, potassium and magnesium are also needed in reasonable amounts. Iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium and iron are needed to a lesser degree, but the complete lack of these minerals can have serious consequences.
Behaviour
Geckos live reclusive lives in their hiding places. They feel safe when they can crawl away into a narrow crevice. Day geckos are often aggressive, especially when they are close together. Females are also aggressive and even attack males. Partners who cannot tolerate each other should be separated.
Day geckos are best kept as a pair. Parents can be tolerant of the young, but it is still better to raise them in their own vivarium. Especially the males defend their territory, but the females will also attack intruders. It is therefore not advisable to keep other species with day geckos. Males cannot be kept together, and pregnant females should also be kept separately.
Handling
Gekkos shed their tails quickly when they feel threatened, or when they are grabbed by it. As soon as geckos get the chance, they will bite when handled. With proper care, day geckos can be domesticated. Grasp geckos firmly but gently. The skin is very thin, and can be easily damaged. Geckos should be packed in sturdy, draft-free boxes when they are transported. These should be kept warm.