Defining Characteristics:

• Beautiful colors
• Diurnal
• Active day gecko
• Excellent display animal

Name: Phelsuma lineata. Known as the lined day gecko for the two black lines which flank their sides.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: 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 lined 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. Lined day geckos should also be provided with a 5.0 or similar strength UVB light.

Humidity: Keep lined 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 lined 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: Lined day geckos reach around 4-5 inches total length as adults.

Age: Lined day geckos are at least 4 weeks 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 8-10 years in captivity.

Feeding: Lined day geckos are omnivores, eating both insects and fruit in the wild. In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of gecko diet mix andfeeder 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: Lined day gecko males can be identified by their femoral pores, which are located between the hind legs. Females lack these pores.

Color/Pattern: Lined day geckos have a green background, with two characteristic black lines flanking their sides. Red splotching covers the lower back. Some individuals have blue coloration on their face and along their tail.

Social Behavior: We have not tested keeping Lined day geckos in groups, so we can only recommend housing this species solo or as a pair if using a smaller setup.

Breeding: Lined 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: Lined day geckos are found in a large portion of eastern Madagascar.

History in the Hobby: Due to their large range in Madagascar, lined day geckos are considered a species of least concern. Despite their stable population, they are not as common as some other similar day geckos.

Links of Interest:

• Reptiles Magazine: Lined Day Gecko

Still not sure if the lined day gecko from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!