Blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana)

Short answers

Blue-tailed day gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C basking spot, at night not below 18 °C.

Blue-tailed day gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Blue-tailed day gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Blue-tailed day gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Blue-tailed day gecko: Can several be kept together?

Keeping it singly is the calmest solution for this stress-sensitive species, which is aggressive towards its own kind.

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

not below 18 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C basking spot

Humidity

day 60–70 %, higher at night

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

ab 40×40×60 cm für ein Tier; Paar ab 60×40×60 cm, gut belüftet, Höhe wichtig

Substrate

Coco humus and planting, bamboo and cork

Feeding

Food

Insects plus fruit or nectar purée

Feeding interval

insects 2–3×/week, fruit purée 1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–14 cm

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Mauritius

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is the calmest solution for this stress-sensitive species, which is aggressive towards its own kind. In pairs (one male, one female) only works if the pair is compatible – drawback: fighting can flare up at any time, and then they must be separated immediately, so keep a spare enclosure ready. Never keep two males or two females together, nor other day geckos. Rear juveniles individually.

Notes

Very sensitive to keeping mistakes – a humid but well-ventilated terrarium is needed. Magnificently coloured, but not tame to the hand.

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Related species

• Abbott's day gecko (Phelsuma abbotti) – Intermediate
• Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri) – 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 Blue-tailed day gecko (Phelsuma cepediana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (ab 40×40×60 cm für ein Tier; Paar ab 60×40×60 cm, gut belüftet, Höhe wichtig), substrate (Coco humus and planting, bamboo and cork), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.