Giant Day Gecko Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

8-15 years

AVERAGE SIZE

 7-10 inches long

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Giant Day Geckos are active, personable geckos that can often be taught to eat from their owner’s hands. They are very quick however, so handling should not be attempted. These geckos are diurnal, so they are primarily awake during the day. Giant Day Geckos can be housed together, but never two males in the same cage as they will fight.

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Daytime: 78°-85° F

Nighttime: Not to drop below 70°F

Basking: 95°-100° F

HUMIDITY

50-70% humidity levels 

FEEDING

Omnivorous; eats both live prey and fruit. Commercially available Crested Gecko diet is a powdered meal replacement that is mixed with water to form a paste. Place a dish of the diet in the enclosure during the day and remove it at night. A variety of insect feeders also need to be offered several times a week. Soft fruits such as bananas can also be offered to your gecko.

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust foods with calcium and vitamin supplements as recommended by your veterinarian. As a general rule, juvenile animals require less calcium and supplements than adults.

WATER

A large bowl of fresh chlorine-free water must always be available and changed daily.

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Giant Day Geckos love to climb, so your enclosure should have many branches and vines. Providing live plants can help maintain the humidity levels needed inside your gecko’s enclosure.

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A Giant Day Gecko terrarium should be at least 12 x 12 x 18 inches for a single adult. A vertical space is most important for this arboreal species.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a mulch or coconut fiber substrate.

UVB LIGHT

Exposure to UVB (ultraviolet B) light is CRITICAL in allowing an animal to synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin and metabolize calcium in their body. 

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All geckos must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Giant Day Geckos need 8-12 hours of daytime and nighttime. 

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every couple of months.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 12”L x 12”W x 18”H (or larger) terrarium for a single gecko with secure mesh top at minimum
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• Fluorescent UVB Bulb & housing
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Mulch or coconut fiber substrate
• Multiple live or artificial plants, small branches, wood perches & vines to climb & hide in (reptile-safe)
• Dripper system
• Water bowl
• Food dish
• Live food
• Powdered Crested Gecko Food
• Water dechlorinate drops
• Spray bottle

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.