Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata) Care Sheet
The Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata) is a colourful, medium-sized diurnal gecko native to Madagascar.
The species takes its common name from the distinct dark lateral line that commonly runs along the side of the body. Adults are typically bright green with red markings along the back and varying amounts of blue, turquoise and yellow.
Like other members of the genus Phelsuma, Lined Day Geckos are strongly arboreal. They spend much of their lives climbing trees, shrubs, bamboo and other vegetation while basking, hunting small invertebrates and feeding on nectar and fruit.
They are highly active during daylight and require appropriate UVB, bright visible lighting and access to a localised basking area.
Lined Day Geckos possess delicate skin and specialised adhesive toe pads that allow them to move rapidly across both rough and smooth surfaces. They should primarily be regarded as display reptiles rather than animals intended for routine handling.
Successful husbandry centres on a secure vertical enclosure, extensive climbing structure, dense vegetation, appropriate UVB, bright visible lighting, a suitable thermal gradient, fluctuating humidity, excellent ventilation and a varied omnivorous diet.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Phelsuma lineata
Common name: Lined Day Gecko
Family: Gekkonidae
Native range: Madagascar
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Activity: Diurnal
Adult length: Approximately 4–6 inches including the tail
Lifespan: Approximately 10–15+ years with excellent care
Experience level: Intermediate
Diet: Omnivorous
Temperament: Alert, fast and territorial
Adult enclosure: Approximately 18" × 18" × 24" minimum for one adult; larger preferred
Basking area: Approximately 29–32°C
General daytime temperature: Approximately 23–27°C
Cool area: Approximately 21–24°C
Night temperature: Approximately 18–22°C
Humidity: Approximately 60–80% with regular drying periods
UVB: Essential
Handling: Not recommended except when necessary
Social housing: Individual housing safest
Natural Distribution
The Lined Day Gecko is native to Madagascar.
Different populations occur across parts of the island and considerable geographical variation exists within the species.
Where locality information is known, accurate records should be maintained.
Responsible captive breeding helps maintain established populations within herpetoculture without relying on continued collection from the wild.
Natural Habitat
Lined Day Geckos inhabit warm, vegetated environments.
Depending on locality, they may utilise:
- Forest
- Woodland edges
- Trees
- Bamboo
- Palms
- Shrubs
- Broad-leaved vegetation
- Vegetated areas around human habitation
They spend most of their lives above ground.
Captive accommodation should therefore prioritise usable vertical space.
Appearance
Adults are generally predominantly green.
Colouration may include:
- Bright green
- Blue-green
- Turquoise
- Red
- Yellow
- Black
Many individuals display red markings across the dorsal surface.
The characteristic dark lateral line gives the species its common name.
Locality Variation
Phelsuma lineata shows geographical variation.
Different populations may differ in:
- Colour
- Pattern
- Marking intensity
- Adult size
Where animals are maintained for breeding, known locality information should be preserved.
Avoid mixing known distinct locality lines without a clear reason and accurate record keeping.
Colour Variation
Colour intensity can change according to:
- Temperature
- Lighting
- Activity
- Stress
- Social interaction
- Reproductive condition
- Health
Temporary changes in colour are normal.
Adult Size
Adults generally reach approximately:
4–6 inches total length
including the tail.
Although relatively small, they are extremely active and benefit from spacious accommodation.
Behaviour
Lined Day Geckos are strongly active during daylight.
Normal behaviour includes:
- Basking
- Climbing
- Hunting insects
- Exploring vegetation
- Territorial displays
- Feeding on nectar-like foods
- Drinking droplets
- Moving between exposed and shaded areas
They are highly visual reptiles and react rapidly to movement.
Temperament
Lined Day Geckos are generally nervous rather than aggressive towards people.
They are:
- Extremely quick
- Agile
- Excellent climbers
- Capable of sudden jumps
They are best maintained primarily as display reptiles.
Handling
Routine handling is not recommended.
If an animal must be moved, guiding it carefully into a secure container is generally preferable to physically restraining it.
Never:
- Grab the tail
- Squeeze the body
- Restrain loose skin
- Chase the animal repeatedly
- Handle it in an unsecured room
Delicate Skin
Like other Phelsuma, Lined Day Geckos possess delicate skin.
Rough restraint can cause sections of skin to tear away.
This defensive adaptation makes unnecessary handling particularly inappropriate.
Tail Loss
The tail can also be shed when the gecko is severely stressed or improperly restrained.
Never lift or restrain the animal by its tail.
A regenerated tail may differ noticeably from the original.
Enclosure Size
For a single adult:
18" × 18" × 24"
should be considered a practical minimum.
Larger accommodation is preferred where possible.
Additional space provides:
- Greater exercise
- More climbing opportunities
- Better thermal gradients
- Better UV gradients
- Denser planting
- Greater behavioural choice
Vertical Space
Vertical space is particularly important.
The enclosure should contain usable climbing structures throughout its height.
A tall but sparsely furnished enclosure provides little useful arboreal habitat.
Climbing Structure
Suitable furnishings include:
- Bamboo
- Natural branches
- Cork
- Vines
- Live plants
- Artificial foliage
Arrange climbing routes:
- Vertically
- Horizontally
- Diagonally
Provide a variety of branch diameters.
Bamboo
Bamboo is particularly useful for day geckos.
It provides:
- Smooth climbing surfaces
- Basking sites
- Resting areas
- Visual barriers
All bamboo should be firmly secured.
Foliage
Dense foliage provides:
- Security
- Shade
- Drinking surfaces
- Climbing opportunities
- Humidity gradients
- Visual barriers
Suitable reptile-safe plants may include:
- Pothos
- Ficus
- Schefflera
- Bromeliads
- Other suitable tropical plants
Ensure all plants are free from pesticides and harmful chemicals.
Hides
Provide elevated cover using:
- Dense vegetation
- Cork
- Hollow bamboo
- Concealed areas behind plants
The gecko should always have the opportunity to move completely out of sight.
Enclosure Security
Escape prevention is essential.
Lined Day Geckos can exploit surprisingly small openings.
Check carefully around:
- Doors
- Sliding tracks
- Ventilation
- Cable ports
- Lid fittings
before introducing the animal.
Ventilation Mesh
Ventilation mesh must be sufficiently fine to prevent escape while maintaining effective airflow.
Small feeder insects may also escape through coarse mesh.
Substrate
Suitable substrates include:
- Organic topsoil
- Coco fibre
- Tropical soil mixtures
- Orchid bark
- Leaf litter
The substrate should retain some moisture while allowing adequate drainage.
Bioactive Housing
Lined Day Geckos are well suited to naturalistic bioactive enclosures.
A properly established system may contain:
- Live plants
- Natural soil
- Leaf litter
- Springtails
- Suitable small isopods
Bioactive housing does not eliminate the need for routine maintenance and health monitoring.
Temperature Gradient
Provide a clear thermal gradient.
The entire enclosure should never be maintained at basking temperature.
Basking Temperature
Provide a localised basking area around:
29–32°C
The gecko must be able to move away easily.
General Day Temperature
Most of the enclosure can remain around:
23–27°C
Cool Area
Provide cooler shaded areas around:
21–24°C
Night Temperature
Night temperatures can generally fall to approximately:
18–22°C
A modest nighttime reduction is appropriate.
Overheating
Avoid allowing the entire enclosure to become excessively warm.
Small arboreal enclosures can heat rapidly during warm weather.
Cooler shaded retreats must always remain available.
Heating
Where supplemental heating is required, suitable overhead heating can be used to create a localised basking area.
Heating equipment should be safely controlled and monitored.
Temperature Monitoring
Use reliable digital thermometers to monitor:
- Warm areas
- Cool areas
An infrared thermometer is useful for checking basking surface temperatures.
UVB
UVB is essential.
Lined Day Geckos are strongly diurnal reptiles naturally exposed to daylight.
Appropriate UVB supports:
- Vitamin D3 synthesis
- Calcium metabolism
- Healthy skeletal development
- Natural basking behaviour
UV Gradient
The enclosure should provide:
- Appropriate UV exposure around basking areas
- Moderate exposure
- Filtered exposure
- Complete shade
The gecko must be able to regulate its exposure behaviourally.
UVB Placement
UVB effectiveness depends on:
- Lamp output
- Distance
- Mesh obstruction
- Reflector
- Enclosure design
Follow current manufacturer recommendations when selecting and positioning UVB equipment.
Visible Lighting
Bright visible lighting is extremely important.
These are active daytime reptiles.
Good visible lighting supports:
- Natural activity
- Feeding
- Basking
- Colour display
- Plant growth
Suitable daylight LED lighting can be used alongside UVB and basking equipment.
Photoperiod
Approximately:
11–13 hours of daylight
is suitable depending on season.
Night Lighting
The enclosure should become dark at night.
Do not leave visible red, blue or purple lamps operating throughout the night.
Humidity
General humidity around:
60–80%
is appropriate.
Humidity should fluctuate rather than remain constantly high.
Humidity Cycle
Humidity will normally increase following misting before gradually falling as ventilation dries the enclosure.
This daily fluctuation is desirable.
The enclosure should not remain permanently saturated.
Misting
Light misting:
Once or twice daily
works well in many setups.
Frequency depends on:
- Ventilation
- Planting
- Substrate
- Room humidity
- Season
Allow surfaces to partially dry between misting sessions.
Hydration
Lined Day Geckos frequently drink droplets from:
- Leaves
- Glass
- Bamboo
- Branches
Regular misting therefore provides important drinking opportunities.
Water Bowl
A small shallow water dish can also be provided.
Keep it clean and replace the water regularly.
Ventilation
Excellent ventilation is essential.
High humidity combined with stagnant air can encourage:
- Mould
- Bacterial growth
- Skin problems
- Respiratory disease
The enclosure should remain humid but fresh.
Diet
Lined Day Geckos are omnivorous.
Their captive diet should include:
- Appropriately sized live insects
- Suitable nutritionally complete gecko diet
Dietary variety is important.
Live Insects
Suitable feeders include:
- Small crickets
- Small locusts
- Small roach nymphs
- Fruit flies
- Small black soldier fly larvae
- Other appropriately sized captive-produced insects
Prey should always be appropriately sized.
Gut Loading
Feeder insects should be properly gut-loaded before use.
Suitable gut-loading foods include:
- Leafy greens
- Vegetables
- Appropriate commercial gut-loading products
Calcium Supplementation
Live insects should be appropriately dusted with calcium.
Requirements depend on:
- Age
- UVB provision
- Overall diet
- Reproductive status
Growing juveniles and breeding females require particularly careful calcium management.
Multivitamins
A suitable reptile multivitamin can be offered periodically.
Avoid excessive supplementation.
Complete Gecko Diet
A nutritionally complete commercial gecko diet can provide the fruit and nectar-like component of the captive diet.
Prepare according to manufacturer instructions.
Offer fresh portions and remove uneaten food before it spoils.
Fresh Fruit
Small quantities of suitable soft fruit may occasionally be offered as enrichment.
Fresh fruit should not replace a nutritionally complete gecko diet.
Feeding Frequency
Juveniles can generally be offered food:
Daily or almost daily
Adults can generally be fed:
4–5 times per week
using a varied combination of live insects and complete gecko diet.
Adjust feeding according to:
- Body condition
- Activity
- Reproductive status
Feeding Ledges
Elevated feeding stations are useful.
They allow natural arboreal feeding without requiring the gecko to descend to the enclosure floor.
Food Enrichment
Encourage natural feeding behaviour through:
- Live insect hunting
- Varying feeding locations
- Elevated feeding stations
- Controlled hunting among vegetation
Social Housing
Individual housing is the safest general recommendation.
Lined Day Geckos can be territorial.
Adult Males
Adult males should not be housed together.
Territorial aggression may result in:
- Bite injuries
- Chronic stress
- Feeding suppression
- Restricted basking access
- Serious injury
Male/Female Housing
Experienced breeders may maintain compatible male/female pairs in sufficiently large and densely furnished enclosures.
Females must be monitored carefully for:
- Persistent courtship
- Mating injuries
- Stress
- Feeding competition
Separate accommodation should always be available.
Female Aggression
Females may also display territorial behaviour.
Do not assume females will automatically coexist peacefully.
Sexing
Mature males generally develop:
- More pronounced preanal/femoral pores
- Broader tail base
- More obvious reproductive structures
Sexing juveniles can be considerably more difficult.
Breeding
Lined Day Geckos can be bred successfully in captivity.
Only healthy mature animals in excellent condition should be bred.
Where locality information is known, accurate breeding records should be maintained.
Female Condition
Breeding females require excellent:
- Nutrition
- Calcium provision
- UVB
- Hydration
- Body condition
Repeated egg production can place considerable demands on females.
Egg Laying
Females generally produce:
2 eggs per clutch
although single eggs may occasionally occur.
Multiple clutches may be produced during a breeding season.
Egg Deposition
Females seek protected locations for egg deposition.
Potential laying sites include:
- Bamboo
- Cork
- Plant structures
- Concealed enclosure furnishings
Eggs may be deposited in locations that make removal difficult.
Never forcibly remove eggs that are firmly attached or positioned where removal could damage them.
Egg Protection
Where eggs remain inside the adult enclosure, a ventilated protective cover may sometimes be positioned around them.
This can help:
- Protect the eggs
- Prevent disturbance
- Contain newly emerged hatchlings
Incubation
Eggs can generally be incubated around:
24–27°C
under stable conditions.
Incubation commonly lasts approximately:
45–70+ days
depending on temperature and other factors.
Avoid excessive incubation temperatures.
Eggs should not be rotated after laying.
Hatchlings
Hatchlings are extremely small and fast.
Provide:
- Secure escape-proof accommodation
- Fine climbing structures
- Dense foliage
- Appropriate UVB
- Moderate basking temperatures
- Regular misting
- Tiny live prey
- Suitable complete gecko diet
- Appropriate supplementation
Hatchling Food
Suitable prey may include:
- Flightless fruit flies
- Pinhead crickets
- Tiny roach nymphs
- Other appropriately sized captive-produced feeders
Growing juveniles should receive appropriate calcium supplementation.
Hatchling Security
Escape prevention is critical.
Young Lined Day Geckos can exploit extremely small gaps around:
- Doors
- Ventilation
- Cable ports
- Sliding tracks
- Lid fittings
Check housing carefully before introducing hatchlings.
Quarantine
All newly acquired reptiles should undergo quarantine.
A minimum of approximately:
90 days
is a sensible starting point.
Monitor:
- Feeding
- Weight
- Faeces
- Skin
- Shedding
- Respiration
- Activity
Shedding
Healthy Lined Day Geckos generally shed successfully when correctly hydrated.
Retained shed may occasionally occur around:
- Toes
- Tail
- Limbs
Avoid forcibly pulling firmly attached skin.
Toe Health
Healthy adhesive toe pads are essential for normal climbing.
Retained shed or contamination can interfere with grip.
Inspect the feet periodically.
Signs of Good Health
A healthy Lined Day Gecko should generally display:
- Clear bright eyes
- Strong grip
- Alert daytime activity
- Regular basking
- Active hunting
- Appropriate body condition
- Smooth coordinated climbing
- Healthy skin
- Normal faeces
Warning Signs
Seek veterinary advice for:
- Persistent food refusal
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weak grip
- Tremors
- Soft jaw
- Swollen limbs
- Respiratory symptoms
- Persistent diarrhoea
- Severe retained shed
- Skin lesions
- Significant lethargy
Common Husbandry Mistakes
Inadequate UVB
These are strongly diurnal reptiles and require appropriate UVB.
Poor Visible Lighting
Bright daytime illumination is important for natural activity and behaviour.
Enclosure Too Bare
They require abundant bamboo, branches and vegetation.
Keeping the Entire Enclosure Too Hot
Provide a localised basking area alongside cooler shaded retreats.
Constantly Wet Conditions
Humidity should fluctuate and enclosure surfaces should partially dry.
Poor Ventilation
High humidity must be combined with effective airflow.
Feeding Only Fruit
A balanced diet requires appropriate live prey, calcium, vitamins and minerals.
Feeder Insects Too Large
Prey should always be appropriately sized.
Housing Adult Males Together
Territorial aggression can result in serious injury.
Excessive Handling
Their speed and delicate skin make them unsuitable for routine handling.
Insecure Enclosure
Even small gaps can result in an escaped gecko.
Captive-Bred Animals
Captive-bred Lined Day Geckos should be strongly preferred.
Advantages include:
- Known origin
- Established feeding
- Better adaptation to captive conditions
- Reduced parasite concerns
- Reduced collection pressure on wild populations
Responsible captive breeding and accurate record keeping help maintain sustainable populations within herpetoculture.
Responsible Ownership
Before acquiring a Lined Day Gecko, ensure you can provide:
- A secure vertical enclosure
- Extensive climbing structure
- Dense foliage
- Appropriate UVB
- Bright visible lighting
- A localised basking area
- Cooler shaded retreats
- High but fluctuating humidity
- Excellent ventilation
- Regular misting
- Appropriately sized live insects
- Complete gecko diet
- Appropriate supplementation
- Long-term veterinary care
Suitability
Advantages
- Attractive green, red and turquoise colouration
- Distinctive lateral markings
- Highly active during daylight
- Manageable adult size
- Fascinating arboreal behaviour
- Excellent planted-display species
- Captive breeding achievable
- Well suited to naturalistic enclosures
Considerations
- Extremely fast
- Delicate skin
- Not suitable for routine handling
- Escape-proof housing essential
- UVB required
- Bright visible lighting required
- Requires live feeder insects
- Territorial behaviour
- Careful humidity management required
Summary
The Lined Day Gecko (Phelsuma lineata) is a colourful and highly active Madagascan day gecko recognised by the characteristic dark line running along the side of the body.
Successful husbandry centres on:
- Approximately 18" × 18" × 24" minimum adult accommodation
- Larger accommodation preferred where possible
- Extensive bamboo, branches and climbing routes
- Dense foliage and elevated cover
- A localised basking area around 29–32°C
- General daytime temperatures around 23–27°C
- Cooler shaded areas around 21–24°C
- Appropriate nighttime cooling
- Strong appropriate UVB
- Bright visible daytime lighting
- Approximately 60–80% humidity with regular drying periods
- Excellent ventilation
- Regular misting
- Appropriately sized gut-loaded live insects
- Suitable complete gecko diet
- Appropriate calcium supplementation
- Minimal unnecessary handling
- Individual housing as the safest default
When provided with appropriate UVB, bright lighting, abundant climbing structure, correct nutrition and carefully managed humidity, captive-bred Lined Day Geckos can make exceptionally attractive and engaging display reptiles.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This care sheet provides general husbandry guidance and does not replace species-specific research or veterinary advice. Individual requirements may vary.
Always check current legislation governing the acquisition, collection, import, transport, keeping, breeding or sale of reptiles in your jurisdiction.
If you have concerns about an animal’s health or care, consult a suitably experienced exotic or reptile veterinarian.
Information correct at the date of publication.
reptilecommunity.com | Revised: August 2026