Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri)

Short answers

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

45×45×50 cm.

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

Daytime 22–28 °C (COOLER), basking spot 32–35 °C local basking spot, at night 16–19 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0).

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

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C (COOLER)

Night temperature

16–19 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C local basking spot

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stone slabs with crevices, a few plants

Feeding

Food

Insects, a little fruit purée

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

11–14 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Central Madagascar – highlands and rock

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Pair. Two males do not get along — they fight over territory and basking spot until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner. In this species, though, the females are also feisty: if a pair does not suit each other, the female can seriously injure or kill a persistent male. So watch pairs and separate them if in doubt, offer several basking and hiding spots, and feed separately if there is a size difference.

Notes

The only rock-dwelling day gecko, and to be kept markedly cooler than the other Phelsuma – a plain brown-green rather than brilliant green. It needs stone structures rather than bamboo.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Abbott's day gecko (Phelsuma abbotti) – 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 Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stone slabs with crevices, a few plants), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.