Geckos
Gold dust day gecko care guide
Phelsuma laticauda
A small, brilliant day gecko. Look-don't-touch — skin tears easily.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Gold dust day gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult gold dust day gecko should live in at least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H; we build toward 18" L × 18" W × 24" H (1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, roughly 2.3 sq ft of floor and about a 34-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–90°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–76°F
- Night
- No lower than 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Twice-daily misting; live plants for drinking.
Substrate and depth
Soil/coco or bioactive. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Small dusted insects plus commercial gecko diet (CGD) 2–3 times a week.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Gold dust day gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Gold dust day gecko enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 18" L × 18" W × 24" H — about 1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, or a 34-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Gold dust day gecko need?
Basking or warm surface 88–90°F basking spot, warm side 80–85°F, cool side 72–76°F, night No lower than 65°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Gold dust day gecko need UVB?
UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Gold dust day gecko need?
60–80%. Twice-daily misting; live plants for drinking.
What substrate is best for a Gold dust day gecko?
Soil/coco or bioactive, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Gold dust day gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own gold dust day gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.