Phelsuma madagascariensis

Madagascar day geckos are native to the eastern coast of Madagascar. They have been introduced to southern Florida, in the United States. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Heygen, 2004)

Madagascar day geckos are arboreal. They inhabit trees in tropical rainforests, as well as trees in grassland and agricultural areas. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; D'Cruze et al., 2007)

Madagascar day geckos are the largest species of gecko. Adults can reach up to 25 cm in lengt. Their tails are usually just as long as their bodies or longer. They have broad, flattened toe pads with adhesive lamellae (thin flat scales). These toe pads give them the ability to cling to smooth surfaces. Their eyes are very large with a circle of bright blue around them. They do not any have eye lids. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Demeter, 1975)

Madagascar day geckos are usually bright green but the color can vary from light green to a bluish green between their scales. They have a stripe that runs from the nostril to an area just behind the ear that is usually a rust or red color. Madagascar day geckos have brown dots that connect to form a line along their mid-backs. Females have smaller heads than males and their color is less vibrant, so it is easy to tell the sexes apart. Young Madagascar day geckos resemble their parents except that they have proportionately larger heads and the underside of their tail is orange. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Demeter, 1975)

Eggs of P. madagascariensis hatch after an incubation period of 47 to 82 days. The temperature at which the eggs are incubated determines the sex of the offspring. Eggs incubated at 81 to 85 degrees (F) will yield males, while eggs incubated from 77 to 81 degrees (F) will yield females. Upon hatching, the young are morphologically identical to the adult form, but differ slightly in their coloration. The diet of young Madagascar day geckos mainly consists of small insects. The offspring usually reach a sexually mature adult size in one to two years. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Bartlett and Bartlett, 2001; Mattiolo, Gili, and Andreone, 2006)

While the lifespan of P. madagascariensis in the wild is unknown, it is estimated to be less than 6 years. The average lifespan in captivity is around 15 years. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Bartlett and Bartlett, 2001)

Madagascar day geckos tend to be found clinging to vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks and branches, where they rest and sunbathe. When geckos shed, they eat their own skin. They seem to be territorial, as they are aggressive towards other members of the species. Younger geckos are most aggressive. They will often make direct attacks on others if they are found in the same place. Male geckos can change colors when they are stressed or if they are ill. Their coloring darkens in these situations. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Demeter, 1975)

Home Range

There is no information available on home range of Madagascar day geckos.

As a diurnal species, P. madagascariensis relies heavily on sight to gather information about its environment. Slight changes in the intensity of the skin's coloration are used to convey information during breeding and courtship, as well as to indicate high levels of stress or illness. Auditory signals are emitted during breeding and courtship, as well as when the animal is heavily stressed. Tactile communication is used during reproduction, when males restrain females via biting her on the neck. The secretions from the male's leg pores may be a form of chemical communication, as the secretion is also accompanied by female tongue flicking. Madagascar day geckos have a distinct call that resembles the sound of a frog. It is made by using their very large tongues to produce a clicking sound of the roofs of their mouths. (Demeter, 1975)

Madagascar day geckos eat a wide variety of arthropods. They also occasionally eat sweet fruits or nectar. Their main source of water is from the condensation found on leaves. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Demeter, 1975)

Madagascar day geckos in captivity are usually fed about twice a week. They have been observed taking great care in deciding what food they will ingest. They will often discard some pieces of food before finally deciding what they will eat. (Demeter, 1975)

While no studies examining specific predators have been performed, P. madagascariensis is probably preyed upon by a variety of predators, including various birds, mammals, and other reptiles. This species, like many other species of lizards, is capable of dropping the last portion of the tail to distract a predator that is pursuing them, thus allowing an easier escape. Madagascar day geckos rely heavily on camouflage to avoid predators; their green coloration and habit of clinging to surfaces allows them to blend in seamlessly with their tropical, arboreal environment. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Bartlett and Bartlett, 2001)

Madagascar day geckos eat smaller animals, such as insects. They are preyed upon by larger animals such as birds. However, there is little information on the actual role of the geckos in the ecosystem. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009; Demeter, 1975)

There are no known negative effects for humans caused by Madagascar day geckos.

Madagascar day geckos help control populations of insects that they preys on and may play a role in pollinating some plant species through feeding on nectar. Madagascar day geckos are popular animals within the pet trade. However, most are now captive bred. This species is frequently displayed in zoos for educational and display purposes, and could be used by researchers to further understand and study the mechanisms that enable geckos to cling to smooth surfaces, such as glass. (Bartlett and Bartlett, 2001)

Madagascar day gecko populations are not considered threatened currently. They seem to be adaptable to human disturbance. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009)

The name "gecko" probably originated from the calls of these lizards. Geckos are the only type of lizards known to be able to make more than a simple hiss. Their vocalizations can range from squeaks and clicks to barks and croaks. ("Smithsonian National Zoological Park Reptiles and Amphibians Fact Sheet", 2009)