Day Gecko

Phelsuma grandis

The day gecko most often kept under the name Phelsuma grandis is the giant day gecko or Madagascar giant day gecko, a bright green arboreal lizard from northern Madagascar. Red markings on the head and back, large toe pads, round pupils, and daytime activity make it easy to recognize. It climbs smooth glass and leaves using microscopic toe structures, and its delicate skin can tear if it is grabbed roughly.

Captive-bred giant day geckos are common in the reptile hobby, but they are display animals more than handling pets. They do best in tall tropical enclosures with live or sturdy plants, warm basking areas, ultraviolet lighting, and regular humidity cycles. Their diet mixes small insects with fruit-based gecko foods or nectar-style supplements. Males are territorial, pairs need observation, and eggs may be glued into plant tubes or enclosure crevices, so breeding setups are planned around safe egg placement and hatchling removal.