Geckos · Care guide
Phelsuma klemmeri
Small arboreal day geckos from coastal northwest Madagascar — about 3–4″ total length, prized for vivid colour. Glass terrarium with mesh-lid heat and T5 12% UV, humidity 60–80%, cork and small branches, and a diet of insects plus jelly pots, fruit purees, and dried formulas.
At a glance
Key parameters for day-to-day husbandry. Full detail is in the sections below.
Probe target
80 °F
27 °C · cool end · halfway down
Night target
~70 °F
~21 °C · ~10 °F drop
Humidity
60–80%
Spray 2×/day · evening priority
UVB
T5 12%
On top of mesh lid
01 · Housing
Small arboreal diurnal day geckos from Madagascar (~3–4″). Humidity 60–80% suits a glass terrarium with mesh-lid heat and T5 12% UV, cork bark, small multi-height branches, foliage for cover, and a cool-end water bowl.
Adult minimum size
12″ W × 12″ D × 18″ H
Compact glass terrarium for a small arboreal day gecko. Heat dome and T5 12% UV sit on the mesh lid.
Housing diagram
Enclosure example
Front view 18″ wide × 18″ tall (depth 18″) · mesh lid · branches · foliage · cool water bowl · coir + orchid bark
Setup diagram · 1 of 2
Top-down view
Heat dome in a back corner · probe on the opposite cool end · recommended temps need this layout
Setup diagram · 2 of 2
Front view
Looking into the terrarium · dome on the mesh lid · probe about halfway down
02 · Climate
Cool-end probe 80 °F halfway down, T5 12% UVB on the mesh lid, and humidity around 60–80% with twice-daily misting and evening priority.
When the heat bulb and thermostat sensor are placed as instructed, a probe target of 80 °F (27 °C) cool end · halfway down creates this spread. The probe point is not the basking spot.
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Cool end (probe) (thermostat probe target) | 80 °F (27 °C) |
| Night drop | Reduce thermostat by ~70 °F (~21 °C) · ~10 °F drop |
Climate diagram
Lighting setup
Glass terrarium mesh lid — T5 12% UVB sits on top of the lid · heat dome on the warm end · match UV to heat
Target about 60–80% RH with twice-daily misting and a heavier evening spray.
60–80% RH · spray 2×
Morning mist plus room to dry a little during the day
Heavier mist
Main spray of the day (fogger or rain system optional) for the night spike
Not always wet
Constant wet conditions raise bacteria risk — allow drier periods and airflow
Always have the dimming thermostat dial turned down before you plug it into the mains for the first time. Set the cool-end probe to 80 °F (27 °C) for daytime once dome and sensor are in place.
03 · Nutrition
Insects plus jelly pots, fruit purees, and dried formulas — method of 5, dust every feed, gut-load insects. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
At a glance
Fed regularly
In moderation only
Dust every feeding with a 4:1 mix of calcium : Nutrobal (4 parts calcium to 1 part Nutrobal). Mix before dusting, then coat the food on every feed.
New arrivals often will not eat well for the first few days. This is normal. Once settled, appetite usually increases — exact cricket/locust counts vary.
Offer 5 insects at a time
Wait until you see them consumed before adding more
Reduces uneaten insects, stress, and possible insect-related injuries
Gut-load insects before offering — variety matters for calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) and vitamins.
Feeder insects must be well fed before offering. In the wild, lizards and amphibians scavenge a wide variety of prey that themselves ate varied foods — supplying complete nutrition and a better calcium-to-phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio.
Speak to a member of staff for more feeding advice.
04 · Behaviour
Patience first. Settling and regular feeding come before handling.
Allow the gecko to settle in the new enclosure and begin eating regularly before handling. Adapting is stressful; early handling can make it worse.
Initial sessions: 5–10 minutes only. Lengthen as the gecko becomes more comfortable.
Always wash or disinfect hands before and after handling to prevent bacteria transfer both ways.
Do not use aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure — the chemicals can harm your gecko.
05 · Welfare
Prevention starts with correct husbandry — heat, UVB, hydration, and supplementation working together.
Correct temperatures, supplementation, hydration, and UVB keep the immune system and gut working well — supporting essential physiological processes.
Pros
Cons
Questions
Adult minimum is 12″ wide × 18″ high × 12″ deep glass terrarium. They are small arboreal day geckos (about 3–4″ total length). Provide cork bark, small multi-height branches, and foliage for cover. Use humidity-retentive coir mixed with coarse orchid bark (bio setups with live plants and cleanup crew work extremely well). Heat dome and T5 12% UV sit on top of the mesh lid. Cool-end probe about halfway down opposite the heat. Place a water bowl on the cool side.
Place the heat dome on the mesh lid in a back corner (this guide uses left-back). Feed the dimming thermostat sensor through the opposite lid nodule so it rests about halfway down at the cool-end back corner. Ideal daytime temperature at the probe point is 80 °F (27 °C), creating a gradient from the cool end to the basking spot under the dome. At night, reduce about 10 °F to around 70 °F (21 °C). Recommended temps only apply with this placement.
Aim for about 60–80% relative humidity. Spray the enclosure manually twice daily — the evening spray is most important because night humidity spikes in the wild; a fogger or rain system can help. Slightly drier periods during the day are safe and normal — do not keep the enclosure constantly wet (bacteria risk). Use a T5 12% UV tube sitting on top of the mesh lid. UV photoperiod about 9–10 hours in winter and 14–16 hours in summer; heat about 12 hours in winter and up to 16 hours in summer.
Allow the gecko to settle and begin eating regularly before handling — at least two successful feeds first. Early sessions 5–10 minutes only; lengthen as they become more comfortable. Always wash or disinfect hands before and after. No aerosols or plug-in air fresheners near the enclosure.
Live insects, jelly pots, fruit purees, and dried formulas. Use the method of 5 (five insects at a time until eaten). Once settled, 5–10 crickets daily is common. Staples: crickets, locusts, and calci worms; waxworms and morios in moderation. Dust every feed with a 4:1 calcium : Nutrobal mix. Food size no larger than the distance between the eyes.
Next steps
Shop heating, housing and lighting on this site, browse livestock when available, or speak to our team for a tailored kit list.
More in Geckos
