Phelsuma laticauda — Fact Sheet

Phelsuma laticauda · Phelsuma laticauda

Full care guide and sources

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Enclosure planning dimensions: 45 x 45 x 60 cm
• Substrate planning depth: 8 cm
• Housing: One animal per enclosure

🪨 Substrate and furnishings

Use an enclosure that gives usable space, not just empty volume. Cork, bark, branches, bamboo, live or artificial plants and leaf cover all help the animal feel secure.

Avoid sharp decor, unstable rocks and gaps where the gecko can be trapped. Tiny juveniles need especially careful escape-proofing.

💡 Lighting

Provide a normal 10-12 hour day length. Bright visible light improves activity and plant growth; low to moderate UVB is recommended when the animal can also choose shade.

For UV planning, treat this species as Ferguson Zone 2. Aim for about UVI 1-2 on the highest routinely used basking branch, with a gradient down to shaded areas near zero UVI. This usually points to a moderate 5-7% T5/Forest-style UVB tube at a measured safe distance; measure with a Solarmeter 6.5 when possible, because reflector, mesh, distance, and lamp age change the real exposure.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking spot: 30-33 °C

• Daytime air: 24-29 °C

• Cool zone: 22-24 °C

• Night: 20-24 °C

• Clear gradient required; the animal must be able to move between warm, cool, and hidden zones

• Measure basking surfaces with an infrared thermometer and ambient zones with digital probes

• Avoid heat rocks and unguarded heat sources

💧 Humidity and water

Aim for 60-80% with morning or evening misting. Most individuals drink droplets from leaves, glass or decor after misting, though a small clean water dish can be offered as backup.

The enclosure should become humid after misting and then dry partly again. Permanently wet, stale air encourages skin and respiratory problems.

🪳 Feeding

This species should be fed mainly with small insects, occasional nectar-like prepared diet and fruit-gecko diet. Prey must be smaller than the width of the head.

Feed juveniles more often than adults. Gut-load insects, dust with calcium regularly, and use a reptile multivitamin more sparingly according to the product instructions and UVB provision.

Use a complete commercial gecko diet for the nectar-and-fruit component; plain fruit, baby food, and honey do not supply a reliable staple balance. Rotate small crickets, flies, roach nymphs, and other suitable insects, remove leftovers, and clean feeding cups before residue ferments. Adult body condition and female egg production should guide portions and calcium support.

🩺 Health — warning signs

Common problems include dehydration, retained shed, poor appetite, injuries from falls or handling, calcium imbalance, and stress from unsuitable groups. Warning signs include weight loss, weak grip, sunken eyes, repeated hiding without feeding, and visible wounds.

First check temperatures, humidity, ventilation, food size, supplement use and whether tankmates are causing stress. Persistent weakness or swelling needs a reptile veterinarian.