Day gecko

Anyone have any of these guys? I think they look really neat, there fast too from what I hear. I tried to do a search but didnt turn up too much on them since there is so many diff kind. Can you tell me what the most common one is called? and how there temperment is?

I've had a pair of Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis aka Madagascar Giant Day Geckos, that was before I sold all of my geckos. As far as temperment I would say they are "okay"....my female was very flighty, and she nailed me a few times while trying to get them out of their enclosure for cleaning...but the male was a joy to handle...in fact I'd let him out in my herp room and he'd climb the walls and eventually jump back down to me.

Their care is pretty simple: Temps between 75-90F, humidity between 40-75% acheived through daily misting, water dish available at all times, a tall enclosure with a lot of climbing limbs (bamboo, pvc, etc.) Mine ate a diet of crickets, phelsuma diet (powdered food to mix w/ water), and fruit baby foods sparingly.

Here are a few photos of when I got mine:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showp...26&postcount=1

Now if you had to chose would you go with Tokay gecko's or day gecko's? I like the way both of them look, and I hear there both nippy. Thanks for the info btw J.

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

I've had a pair of Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis aka Madagascar Giant Day Geckos, that was before I sold all of my geckos. As far as temperment I would say they are "okay"....my female was very flighty, and she nailed me a few times while trying to get them out of their enclosure for cleaning...but the male was a joy to handle...in fact I'd let him out in my herp room and he'd climb the walls and eventually jump back down to me.

Their care is pretty simple: Temps between 75-90F, humidity between 40-75% acheived through daily misting, water dish available at all times, a tall enclosure with a lot of climbing limbs (bamboo, pvc, etc.) Mine ate a diet of crickets, phelsuma diet (powdered food to mix w/ water), and fruit baby foods sparingly.

Here are a few photos of when I got mine:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showp...26&postcount=1

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Seeing as I've never kept tokay geckos...I can't comment there...but I know in Chicago the NERD booth had a REALLY tame tokay gecko...and I'm sure it took a lot of work.

I'd say go with either.;)

don't phelsuma have rather thin skin, and if you want to handle them, there's a chance you'll tear if off. for handling i'd say tokay, because although they can be mean, from all i've read phelsuma are in no way handling sort of creature.

Really skin ripping and such, wow i've never heard that good tip though quick Thanks. I know both are hard to hold but I look forward to the challenge because they're both so great looking.

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

don't phelsuma have rather thin skin, and if you want to handle them, there's a chance you'll tear if off. for handling i'd say tokay, because although they can be mean, from all i've read phelsuma are in no way handling sort of creature.

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I've heard that before...but I never really grabbed mine...the male I did let out to wander...and then gently grab him to put him back in the enclosure. They seemed real hardy to me....but are truly more of a display gecko.

The thing with tokays would be them tearing YOUR skin. Those itty bitty baby tokays have quite the bite.:P

I was considering a Day Gecko, but after much research and reading...no thanks. These are in no way a beginner gecko (not saying you are a beginner) IMO. They require special lighting, caging, ect.

http://www.daygecko.com/

Day Geckos in Captivity - Leann & Greg Christenson 2003


Order that book read it and see what you think afterwords. I ordered it and read it and decided I would do myself and the gecko I was going to get a favor and hold off. I didn't want to put that much work into a gecko...thats just me though.

Good Luck!!


Mike

Thanks Mike, after rethinking my decision and looking at the care a little more in depth your right, they require alot of care. Tokay here I come. I hear they're nippers, but im willing to work with that.

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Originally Posted by 8b8ll

I was considering a Day Gecko, but after much research and reading...no thanks. These are in no way a beginner gecko (not saying you are a beginner) IMO. They require special lighting, caging, ect.

http://www.daygecko.com/

Day Geckos in Captivity - Leann & Greg Christenson 2003


Order that book read it and see what you think afterwords. I ordered it and read it and decided I would do myself and the gecko I was going to get a favor and hold off. I didn't want to put that much work into a gecko...thats just me though.

Good Luck!!


Mike

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Thats great, I'd LOVE to get a Tokay sometime soon....Kara...hook it up.



Mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by qiksilver

don't phelsuma have rather thin skin, and if you want to handle them, there's a chance you'll tear if off. for handling i'd say tokay, because although they can be mean, from all i've read phelsuma are in no way handling sort of creature.

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There is one species of day gecko that is safe to handle....and crap I've forgotten which one it is.

Anyway, the Christensen's book is the best out there for day geckos.

Tokay's can be tamed. The Christenson's also sell tamed CB tokay geckos. In fact they were the first ppl I've seen with the tame tokays.

Tame Tokay's take a bit of work. I have a couple of females which I've been working with since January. They will sit on my hand or my arm, however, that's rather dependent on mood and time of day. Holding one in a more enclosed manner still results in the open mouth look. I typically do not hold them in that manner...if I've done that it's because I've just torn the room apart after one of them ran out of the tub. I've been nipped a few times in the taming process, but at this point they don't typically break skin and they've never "chomped down and hung on".