Geckos
Standing's day gecko care guide
Phelsuma standingi
A large, robust day gecko from dry Madagascar forest. Look-don't-touch.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Standing's day gecko enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult standing's day gecko should live in at least 18" L × 18" W × 36" H; we build toward 24" L × 24" W × 48" H (2 × 2 × 4 ft, roughly 4 sq ft of floor and about a 120-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 24" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 24" W × 48" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 36" 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 50–70%. Daily misting; slightly drier than other day geckos.
Substrate and depth
Soil/coco or bioactive. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
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.
Standing's day gecko FAQ
How big should an adult Standing's day gecko enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 18" W × 36" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 24" W × 48" H — about 2 × 2 × 4 ft, or a 120-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Standing's 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 Standing's day gecko need UVB?
UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Standing's day gecko need?
50–70%. Daily misting; slightly drier than other day geckos.
What substrate is best for a Standing's day gecko?
Soil/coco or bioactive, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Standing's day gecko enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 18" 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 standing's day gecko record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.