Dull day gecko (Phelsuma dubia)

Short answers

Dull day gecko: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 50×50×80 cm.

Dull day gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–34 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Dull day gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (T5 6–10 %).

Dull day gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Dull day gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

32–34 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (T5 6–10 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 50×50×80 cm

Substrate

Humus and sand, bamboo and climbing branches, planting

Feeding

Food

Insects, plus fruit purée and nectar

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

12–15 cm

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Madagascar (the north-west), the Comoros, East Africa

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B (Phelsuma spp.); proof of origin plus registration required

Brumation

No

Cohabitation

In pairs (one male, one female) is the simplest and least stressful set-up. Because the species often lives in the wild as a small group of one male and several females, a trio (1.2) also works in a larger enclosure – drawback: the females compete for basking and feeding spots, so provide several and keep an eye on them. Never keep two males together.

Notes

Plainly grey-green rather than brilliant — but robust, and one of the easier Phelsuma for getting started.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Abbott's day gecko (Phelsuma abbotti) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dull day gecko (Phelsuma dubia) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 50×50×80 cm), substrate (Humus and sand, bamboo and climbing branches, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.