Madagascar giant day gecko

Phelsuma grandis

Irish Name: Ollgheiceo lae Mhadagascar
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Madagascar giant day geckos are large geckos with bright green bodies, red markings on their heads and sometimes orange markings on their backs. They are active during the day and spend most of their time foraging for food and basking in the sun to heat up their bodies.

Madagascar giant day gecko

Phelsuma grandis

Irish Name: Ollgheiceo lae Mhadagascar
IUCN Status: Least Concern

Madagascar giant day geckos are large geckos with bright green bodies, red markings on their heads and sometimes orange markings on their backs. They are active during the day and spend most of their time foraging for food and basking in the sun to heat up their bodies.

General Information

Where do they live (Natural habitat)?

Madagascar giant day geckos live in rainforests and plantations in Madagascar, Africa. Some have been introduced to Mauritius and Réunion.

How long do they live?

Madagascar giant day geckos live 6-8 years in the wild and up to 15 years in human care.

What do they eat?

Madagascar giant day geckos are omnivores (meat- and plant-eaters). They eat small invertebrates (animals without backbones), like insects and spiders, as well as fruits and honey.

Group name

Madagascar giant day geckos are solitary (live alone) and do not have a group name.

Zoo location

Zoorassic World

Closest related species / sister species

The closest relative of the Madagascar giant day gecko is the Madagascar day gecko, of which it was previously considered a subspecies.

Animal class

Reptilia

Animal order

Squamata

Fun Facts

Madagascar giant day geckos have sticky scales on their toes that allow them to climb upright surfaces. This helps them to reach very high up places in the trees.

The bright green colour of Madagascar giant day geckos helps them to camouflage (blend in) among plants to hide from prey. It also helps them to hide from predators. If they are spotted by predators, they can drop the last part of their tails to confuse them and escape.

Madagascar giant day geckos have calcium pouches on the sides of their heads. Scientists think that this gives them a supply of calcium for body functions like producing eggs and keeping bones healthy.

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Family Life

Madagascar giant day geckos are solitary (live alone). When the female lays her eggs, she holds them with her back legs for a couple of hours until they grow hard. Then, she leaves them, and the young raise themselves once they hatch.

Baby name

Hatchling

Gestation (pregnancy) period

47-82 days (egg incubation period)

Number of young at birth

Approximately 2 eggs per clutch

Weight at birth

Unknown

Age at maturity

Approximately 1 year

Adult size

Adults are approximately 25 cm long, and females are generally smaller than males.

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Conservation

Least Concern

Madagascar giant day geckos are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Current population estimate

Unknown

Threats

The main threat to Madagascar giant day geckos is habitat loss due to deforestation. However, these geckos can live comfortably in other habitat types like plantations and orchards. Another threat to them is the pet trade.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

Dublin Zoo raises awareness of Madagascar giant day geckos and provides education on the species.

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FAQs

  • Where do Madagascar giant day geckos live?

    Madagascar giant day geckos live in rainforests and plantations in Madagascar, Africa. They were also introduced to some of the surrounding islands.

  • What do Madagascar giant day geckos eat?

    Madagascar giant day geckos eat small invertebrates (animals without backbones), like insects and spiders, as well as fruit and honey.

  • Which animals eat Madagascar giant day geckos?

    Scientists are unsure but think that birds, mammals and other reptiles hunt Madagascar giant day geckos.

  • How many Madagascar giant day geckos are left in the world?

    There is not enough research to see how many Madagascar giant day geckos are left in the world.

  • Are Madagascar giant day geckos endangered?

    No, Madagascar giant day geckos are not endangered. They are classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They have no big threats and handle changes to their habitats well.

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