Criptic's Page on Herps - Reptiles - Day Geckos

best to keep a pair of day geckos together all year. Sometimes a male will seem too aggressive or a pair incompatible. Then you will have to separate and find more compatible mates.

In the wild, day geckos breed actively for several months a year. Under ideal circumstances, females may lay eggs every 2 - 3 weeks. Prior to breeding, your animals should be in good health and have proper body weight. Expose your geckos to a shorter then 12 hour photo period and cooler temperatures (74-76 F daytime, 70 F night time), for 6-10 weeks prior to peak breeding periods.

Breeding imposes substantial energy and calcium demands on the female. Breeding females should be offered food every other day. Prey items should be supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

The female will produce a clutch of 1-2 eggs per laying. the eggshell is calcareous in nature.

Once dried, the outer shell is quite hard. The eggs are typically laid in a protected location, such as leaf joints of plants or under bark.

Incubation

Gluers

For day geckos that affix their eggs to a hard surface, the eggs must be incubated where they are laid. Any attempt to move them will damage or break them.

If the eggs are laid on a hard surface, the entire enclosure will have to be maintained at a temperature between 78-85 F. The eggs should be covered to maintain humidity. Obtain a plastic cover about 2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Make a number of air holes near the base. Cut out a small piece of paper towel. Fold it and place it in the bottom of the plastic container. Fit the plastic container over the eggs and tape it in place. Use lukewarm water to mist the paper towel threw the air holes every other day.

If the eggs are laid on a leaf, the section holding the eggs can be carefully cut out. This section of leaf can be transferred to an incubator.

Non-Gluers

If the eggs are laid by a species of day gecko that is a non-gluer, once the eggs have hardened, they can be carefully removed and set up for incubation. The incubation temperature should be between 75-85 F. Take an empty, plastic delicatessen container. Punch a series of air holes in the lid. Add 1-2 inches of slightly moistened fine vermiculite. Place a film canister lid on top of the vermiculite and place the eggs on that surface. The eggs should not be sitting on the vermiculite themselves. If the eggs are fertile, they will hatch in 38-90 days.

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