Pasteur's day gecko (Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri)

Short answers

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

From 40×40×80 cm for a pair (vertical, densely planted).

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

Daytime 28–30 °C (cooler zone ~25 °C), basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

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

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–30 °C (cooler zone ~25 °C)

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 40×40×80 cm for a pair (vertical, densely planted)

Substrate

Coco humus, bamboo tubes, planting

Feeding

Food

Small insects (Drosophila, micro-crickets), fruit purée, nectar; calcium

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to approx. 11 cm total length

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Mayotte (the Comoros)

Protection status

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

Brumation

A cooler period over two months: about 25 °C in the daytime, about 20 °C at night

Cohabitation

Pair (1.1). Two males do not work together — they fight over territory and basking spots until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with several females is only possible in a large, richly structured enclosure, but: females also compete for the best basking spots, and a subordinate animal then eats less — observe and separate if necessary. Several basking and hiding spots are important so subordinate animals can get out of the way, and feed separately as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

A subspecies of the lesser Comoro day gecko found only on Mayotte. One of the smallest day geckos of all — needs correspondingly fine food. The two-month cooler phase is a fixed part of this subspecies' annual cycle, not just a breeding trigger.

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 Pasteur's day gecko (Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 40×40×80 cm for a pair (vertical, densely planted)), substrate (Coco humus, bamboo tubes, 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.