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The
Captive Care and Breeding of Phelsuma standingi
(Standing's Day Gecko) |
| Introduction |
Phelsuma
standingi are one of the largest species of gecko from
Madagascar. They are an arboreal species and have "sticky
pads" on their toes (see below) which enable them
to climb almost any surface, including glass.
As the name suggests, Day Geckos are diurnal meaning
they are active during the day time. They are rather
active geckos, and also quite curious. If given proper
care, Standing's Day Geckos can live in a captive environment
for many years. |
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Adult male P.standingi
- ©
Kevin Tomson |
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| Housing |
| As
previously mentioned, Standing's Day Geckos are one
of the largest Day Gecko species and can reach total
lengths of up to 12 inches. With this in mind, as well
as the fact that they are arboreal, a fairly large cage
with plenty of climbing space is required. I would recommend
nothing less than a 35 gallon aquarium (or equivalent
in size) to house an adult pair, but of course they
will readily use as much space as you can offer them.
My adult pair is allowed to roam free as "insect
control" in my herp room (which is about 9'x10')
and they travel over every inch of the room on a regular
basis. As previously mentioned, Standing's Day Geckos
are one |
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of
the largest Day Gecko species and can reach total lengths
of up to 12 inches. With this in mind, as well as the fact
that they are arboreal, a fairly large cage with plenty of
climbing space is required. I would recommend nothing less
than a 35 gallon aquarium (or equivalent in size) to house
an adult pair, but of course they will readily use as much
space as you can offer them. My adult pair is allowed to roam
free as "insect control" in my herp room (which
is about 9'x10') and they travel over every inch of the room
on a regular basis.
Good ventilation is also important to the health of any species
of day gecko. If using an aquarium, (which are a good choice),
a screen top is a must to provide them with enough air circulation
Plenty of branches, bamboo, or plastic pipes should be placed
in the cage for the geckos to have surfaces to climb on. Live
plants can also be kept in the enclosure with your geckos.
This gives the cage a more natural look, and the geckos seem
to enjoy it as well. Various types of plants can be used including,
but not limited to, Bromeliads, Orchids, Pothos, and Sanseveria.
If live plants are being used, appropriate lighting will be
required. |
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| Lighting,
heating & humidity |
Daytime
temperatures for Phelsuma standingi can range anywhere from
low 70's to high 80's (Fahrenheit) through different times
of the year, but they should always have access to a basking
spot or some form of additional heat source of around 100
degrees F. This will give them the option of additional heat
should they feel the need for it.
Unlike other Phelsuma's, Standing's come from a drier region
in Madagascar and humidity levels that are too high can actually
be harmful to them. I don't even recommend spraying down their
cage more often than once a week if at all. They get plenty
of moisture through their food, and fruit/honey mixtures and
I've only come into problems when spraying them as well (especially
with babies and juveniles).
In the wild, Day Geckos rely on the sun to produce vitamin
D3. Ultraviolet lighting can be used in captivity to simulate
the sun so that the geckos can produce vitamin D3, however,
if given proper vitamin supplementation UV lighting or access
to unfiltered sunlight is not necessary. Though I have found
that fluorescent lighting seems to be preferred by all Phelsuma's
and they display brighter colors and are happier when fluorescent
lighting is used. |
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| Feeding |
Standing's
Day Geckos feed readily on just about anything that moves
(with the exception of their own young). In the wild their
diet is believed to consist of mainly lizards, small insects,
and nectar(s) but in captivity, they do just fine on a staple
diet of crickets. They can also be offered appropriately sized
pinkie mice, roaches, stick insects, spiders and flies.
In addition to the insects, baby food and/or a honey and water
mix is also readily eaten. They particularly like the fruit
flavoured baby foods, or a mixture of 1:1 liquid honey and
warm water. In either case, I also mix in a little calcium/D3
powder.
Insects should be offered no less than three times a week.
Baby food should be changed daily or only offered every two
or three days, as it will spoil quickly. The honey and water
mixture will last several days without going bad, but will
thicken. |
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| Breeding |
Sexing
Standing's Day geckos is pretty easy once they are five to
six months of age. As they begin to mature, females develop
large calcium sacs on either side of their neck. These grow
larger with age and usually develop until they are about the
size of a marble (see immediate left). Males will have a much
more slender neck but will develop pores in the shape of a
"V" along the underside of their hind legs, just
before the cloacae (see first image). Males also tend to develop
a yellow tint around these pores as well, making them easily
distinguished from females.
Standing's usually breed for 6 months of the year (in my experience)
and can lay one clutch (1-2 eggs) about every 4-5 weeks under
optimum conditions. If two eggs are laid, they will be "glued"
together but not glued to the surface in which they are laid,
like some other Phelsuma's do. Breeding behaviour can be induced
by longer daylight periods (exceeding 12-14 hour light cycles)
and higher ambient air temperatures. I find that in the climate
where I live (Niagara Falls area), I don't need to change
anything in order to get my Standing's to breed. They naturally
will start laying eggs in February-March and will stop around
July-August.
Once a female has found a good spot to lay her eggs, she will
usually use the same spot all season unless something changes.
The female will also keep an eye on her eggs, and will take
care of the babies when they hatch for several months if allowed
to. The babies can also do just fine on their own (I have
raised babies both ways). The mother Standing's will ward
off the father at feeding time giving the babies a chance
to eat first. The father has also shown some interest in the
babies as well, but not as much as the mother. If allowed
to live with their parents after hatching, the female will
become the babies' safety net to which they will flee when
startled. I've observed that for around three months the babies
are not often more than 24 inches away from their mother.
Eggs can be incubated at temperatures ranging from 80-84 degrees
Fahrenheit on a dry surface, with medium/low humidity.
It has been theorized that incubation temperatures around
80 degrees will produce more males, and incubation temperatures
towards 84 degrees will produce more females. I have been
testing this theory over the last while, but my results are
inconclusive as I don't always find the eggs close enough
to the beginning of the incubation period, or sometimes don't
find them at all (just find babies running around). I do believe
this theory to be sound, and look forward to testing it further.
Typically eggs hatch between 45-60 days after being laid,
depending on a few variables such as temperature and humidity,
yielding a 3 inch baby. |
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| Raising
Hatchlings |
Hatchlings
can be kept and fed in the same manner as the adults,
but be more mindful of humidity and moisture levels
as the babies seem to be more sensitive to humidity
levels and temperature.
Babies can be fed appropriately sized insects in small
quantities daily or every other day starting a few days
after |
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Juvenile
P.standingi |
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hatching.
Most species of Day Gecko are being bred in captivity
now, and are readily available through pet stores and
private breeders. Any Phelsuma species make very rewarding
captives, but Standing's will always remain my favourite.
They are a fair size which doesn't make them as delicate
as some of the smaller species of Phelsuma and they
will tolerate human presence. My adult female will follow
me around the room while I'm feeding the rest of my
reptile collection looking for a treat. I would strongly
recommend Standing's Day Geckos to anyone considering
an interesting and colourful species of gecko to keep. |
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