Giant day geckos (Phelsuma grandis) are highly sought-after reptiles by enthusiasts for their vibrant coloration and active lifestyles. Unfortunately, due to their high care requirements, these reptiles may not be suitable for beginners.
Their delicate skin can tear easily and they may drop their tails when threatened, so it is best to handle them with extreme caution.
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Vegetables
Giant day geckos are omnivores, enjoying live insects, fruits and vegetable matter as part of a balanced diet. They particularly enjoy carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli.
On a giant day gecko diet, it is essential to provide them with fruits and vegetables as they are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables also contain calcium and phosphorus for healthy growth, development and muscle mass.
Vegetables should be offered every two to four days. Crickets, waxworms, earthworms, mealworms and superworms are all great choices for pets.
Vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamins A, C, D and E. Vitamin A helps the body synthesize calcium–essential for building strong bones–while without it, lizards may develop metabolic bone disease.
Fruits
Giant day geckos are omnivores, feeding on a variety of things. In the wild they often consume insects, small vertebrates and flower nectar for sustenance.
Fruit is an excellent way to give your geckos extra flavor and variety in their diet. Many keepers use mashed fruits or baby food as treats, and commercial diets come with added vitamins as well.
Mangoes and papayas are two of the most common fruits for Madagascar giant day geckos to eat. Other popular fruits for them include passion fruit, kiwis, and bananas.
Mealworms
Giant day geckos are omnivorous in the wild and can be fed a variety of insects such asroaches, silkworms, waxworms and butterworms.
They also enjoy fruits, especially tropical varieties such as papaya and mango. Unfortunately, fresh fruits may be too much for your gecko to handle so you may want to consider canned options instead.
When feeding your gecko, you can use a mix of dried vegetables such as carrots and kale, along with bits of fruit. Vegetables and leaves contain plenty of essential nutrients that promote their wellbeing.
Mealworms make an excellent supplement for your gecko, as they’re easy to raise and can be purchased in most pet stores. Not only do these worms contain high levels of protein but they can also serve as a great source of calcium.
Superworms
Superworms make for a great addition to the giant day gecko diet, as they contain high amounts of protein and fat. Their fat provides extra energy that helps your pet remain active and healthy.
Superworms are an excellent source of calcium, a mineral essential for reptile health and development. In addition to calcium, superworms contain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients beneficial for your pet.
To maximize your superworms’ nutritional value, gut load them with a quality cricket or vegetable diet (like kale, carrot, turnip greens or broccoli) for 24 hours prior to giving them to your pet. Furthermore, make sure they’re coated in calcium powder which will help balance their nutritional content and prevent conditions like metabolic bone disease.
Supplements
Maintaining the health of these large lizards requires a balanced diet consisting of both plant and animal foods. Supplementing their diet is necessary to meet specific nutritional needs that insects or other foods cannot supply, such as calcium and vitamin D3.
Wild day geckos also feed on nectar and pollen from flowers in addition to insects, making this an essential part of their natural diet.
In captivity, you can provide your reptile with a nutritious diet by providing them with fruit dietary mixes specially formulated for herbivorous and frugivorous species. These mixtures can be purchased from pet stores as well as some online retailers.
You can offer crickets, cockroaches and other size-appropriate feeder insects fruit baby food mixed with commercial nectar substitute for a complete and balanced diet. You may even dust these pests with mineral and vitamin supplements before feeding them.
