Gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda)

Short answers

Gold dust day gecko: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (gradient from floor to top), basking spot 32–40 °C basking spot, at night ~20 °C.

Gold dust day gecko: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5–10 %).

Gold dust day gecko: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years (up to 15).

Gold dust day gecko: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Gold dust day gecko: Can several be kept together?

In pairs (one male, one female) in a large, densely planted enclosure is the usual set-up; the female needs places to escape to, because males can seriously injure her in enclosures that are too small.

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (gradient from floor to top)

Night temperature

~20 °C

Basking spot

32–40 °C basking spot

Humidity

day 50–60 %, night 80–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5–10 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

ab 45×45×60 cm für ein Tier; Paar ab 60×50×80 cm

Substrate

Coco humus and planting, bamboo and cork

Feeding

Food

Insects plus fruit or nectar purée

Feeding interval

insects several times a week, fruit purée ~1×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 10–13 cm

Life expectancy

8–10 years (up to 15)

Origin

Northern Madagascar, the Comoros (introduced to Hawaii among others)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B – registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

In pairs (one male, one female) in a large, densely planted enclosure is the usual set-up; the female needs places to escape to, because males can seriously injure her in enclosures that are too small. Keeping it singly is equally appropriate and the least stressful choice for non-breeders. A trio (1.2) is possible – drawback: more competition and more clutches. Never keep two males together, and separate juveniles early.

Notes

One of the most robust day gecko species and a good way into Phelsuma; not tame to the hand. UVB plus calcium matter against rickets.

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
• 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 Gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (ab 45×45×60 cm für ein Tier; Paar ab 60×50×80 cm), 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.