Defining characteristics:

• Beautiful blue color
• Diurnal
• Active day gecko
• Excellent display animal
• Uncommon day gecko

Name: Phelsuma cepediana. Known as the blue-tailed day gecko for its blue tail!

Recommended Enclosure Size: A single animal can be kept in a12x12x18. Pairs have been successfully kept and bred in this size enclosure. A bioactive setup with live plants is strongly recommended for this species; BioBedding is recommended to maintain live plants, springtails, and isopods. Provide plenty of climbing material in the form of cork bark, branches, or bamboo for this arboreal species.

Temperature: Keep blue-tailed day geckos between 75-80 F. A basking spot of around 90 F is also recommended. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer. Night temperatures should not fall below 65 F. Blue-tailed day geckos should also be provided with a 5.0 or similar strength UVB light.

Humidity: Keep blue-tailed day geckos in a humid but well-ventilated setup, with humidity between 60-70%. Live plants can be added to help stabilize higher humidity as well as provide humid microclimates. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Mist blue-tailed day geckos daily to provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink. A water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting; a water dish will not replace the need to regularly mist the enclosure.

Size: Blue-tailed day geckos reach around 4-5 inches as adults. At the time of sale Blue-Tailed Day Geckos will be at least 2 Months old and 2-3 Inches in length.

Age: Blue-tailed day geckos are at least 2 Months old when sold by Josh’s Frogs, at which time they are well established. It is estimated that these geckos may live for up to 10 years in captivity.

Feeding: Blue-tailed day geckos are omnivores, eating both insects and fruit in the wild. In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of gecko diet mix and feeder insects. Hatchlings and juveniles should be offered ⅛-inch crickets or fruit flies until they are large enough to eat ¼-inch crickets. Providing mounted feeding cups for this arboreal species is recommended. Other appropriately sized feeder insects, like dubia roaches and black soldier fly larvae, can also be offered but need to be provided in a food dish to be accessible. Waxworms, butterworms, small hornworms, and even honey make excellent treats, but should only be offered occasionally. Feeder insects should be dusted with a calcium and multivitamin supplement.  

Sexing: Blue-tailed day gecko males can be identified by their femoral pores, which are located between the hind legs. Females lack these pores.

Color/Pattern: Blue-tailed day geckos have a green background, with two brown to red stripes flanking their bodies. Between these lines, on their back, runs a series of similarly colored spots. Most notable is the bright blue color extending anywhere from their mid body to hindlimbs and extending down their back. This blue coloration is also often found on their face. 

Social Behavior: We have not tested keeping blue-tailed day geckos in groups, so we can only recommend housing this species solo or as a pair.

Breeding: Blue-tailed day geckos lay 2 eggs every 3-4 weeks during the breeding season. Eggs are loose and usually not adhered to a surface. Despite their larger size, we have successfully used egg-laying tubes with them.

Natural Range: Blue-tailed day geckos are endemic to Mauritius, an island east of Madagascar.

History in the Hobby: Blue-tailed day geckos are relatively uncommon compared to other Phelsuma species. 

Links of Interest:

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