Abbott's day gecko (Phelsuma abbotti)

Short answers

Abbott's day gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×80 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space).

Abbott's day gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Abbott's day gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Abbott's day gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Abbott's day gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

day 60–70 %, night up to 80–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×80 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space)

Substrate

Coco humus and planting, bamboo and cork for climbing

Feeding

Food

Insects plus fruit or nectar purée

Feeding interval

insects several times a week, fruit purée 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–17 cm total length (P. a. abbotti 10–11 cm, P. a. chekei 13–16 cm, P. a. sumptio 14–17 cm)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Seychelles (Aldabra, Assumption, Amirantes) and northern Madagascar with its offshore islands (Nosy Be, Nosy Komba, Nosy Mitsio, Nosy Sakatia, Nosy Tanikely)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – registration required

Brumation

None (possibly a slightly cooler, drier rest period)

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1). Males never tolerate each other. Two females are not a safe option either: same-sex groups in Phelsuma lead to chronic stress and biting, and a subordinate animal stops eating and stays pale, sitting in the lower corner. Every animal needs its own basking spot and sleeping site. Never house the subspecies P. a. abbotti and P. a. chekei together.

Notes

A diurnal, basking climber and not tame to the hand – purely an animal to watch. Delicate skin, so handle it very carefully.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri) – Intermediate
• Blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana) – Intermediate
• Lined day gecko (Phelsuma lineata) – Beginner
• Gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) – Beginner to intermediate
• Giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis) – Beginner
• Seychelles giant day gecko (Phelsuma sundbergi) – Intermediate
• Comoros day gecko (Phelsuma v-nigra) – Intermediate
• Neon day gecko (Phelsuma pusilla) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Abbott's day gecko (Phelsuma abbotti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair (height matters more than floor space)), substrate (Coco humus and planting, bamboo and cork for climbing), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.