Réunion Island Day Gecko (Phelsuma borbonica) Care Sheet
The Réunion Island Day Gecko (Phelsuma borbonica) is a colourful, medium-sized diurnal gecko native to Réunion in the Indian Ocean.
Like other members of the genus Phelsuma, it is an active arboreal reptile adapted to spending much of its life climbing trees, shrubs and other vegetation. Adults are predominantly green and may display varying red, blue or turquoise markings depending on locality, subspecies, sex and individual.
Réunion Island Day Geckos are strongly diurnal. They spend daylight hours basking, hunting small invertebrates, exploring vegetation and feeding on nectar, fruit and other sugary plant resources.
Their active lifestyle and dependence on sunlight mean that appropriate UVB, bright visible lighting and access to a localised basking area are fundamental components of captive husbandry.
As with other day geckos, their skin is delicate and they can move extremely quickly. They should therefore be regarded primarily as display reptiles rather than animals intended for routine handling.
Successful husbandry centres on a secure vertical enclosure, abundant climbing structure, appropriate UVB, bright visible lighting, a thermal gradient, fluctuating humidity, excellent ventilation and a varied omnivorous diet.
Quick Facts
Scientific name: Phelsuma borbonica
Common name: Réunion Island Day Gecko
Family: Gekkonidae
Native range: Réunion
Lifestyle: Arboreal
Activity: Diurnal
Adult length: Approximately 5–7 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
Phelsuma borbonica is native to Réunion, a volcanic island in the Mascarene archipelago of the Indian Ocean.
The species occurs in different areas and elevations across the island, with recognised geographical variation between populations.
Island reptiles can be particularly vulnerable to:
- Habitat alteration
- Introduced predators
- Invasive species
- Environmental change
Captive-bred animals of known origin should be strongly preferred.
Natural Habitat
Réunion Island Day Geckos inhabit a variety of vegetated environments.
Depending on locality, they may utilise:
- Forest
- Woodland
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Palms
- Broad-leaved vegetation
- Vegetated areas around human habitation
They spend much of their lives above ground.
Captive accommodation should therefore emphasise usable vertical space.
Appearance
Adults are generally predominantly green.
Depending on the animal and locality, colouration may include:
- Bright green
- Blue-green
- Turquoise
- Red
- Orange
- Black
Red markings may occur across the head and dorsal surface.
The exact appearance can vary significantly between populations.
Locality Variation
Different populations of Phelsuma borbonica may differ in:
- Colour
- Pattern
- Adult size
- Marking intensity
Where animals are maintained for breeding, accurate locality and lineage records should be preserved whenever known.
Animals of different known locality forms should not be deliberately mixed without careful consideration of conservation and genetic record keeping.
Adult Size
Adults generally reach approximately:
5–7 inches total length
including the tail.
Size varies somewhat between individuals and geographical forms.
Behaviour
Réunion Island 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 respond rapidly to movement.
Temperament
These 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 excessively
- Handle in an unsecured room
Delicate Skin
Like other Phelsuma, Réunion Island 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 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
- More planting
- Greater behavioural choice
Vertical Space
Vertical space is extremely important.
The enclosure should contain climbing structures throughout its height.
A tall but sparsely furnished enclosure provides little useful habitat.
Climbing Structure
Suitable furnishings include:
- Bamboo
- Natural branches
- Cork
- Vines
- Live plants
- Artificial foliage
Arrange climbing surfaces:
- Vertically
- Horizontally
- Diagonally
This creates multiple routes through the enclosure.
Bamboo
Bamboo is particularly useful for day geckos.
It provides:
- Smooth climbing surfaces
- Basking sites
- Resting areas
- Visual barriers
Use several diameters where possible.
All pieces must be securely positioned.
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
All plants should be 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.
Réunion Island Day Geckos can exploit surprisingly small openings.
Check:
- Doors
- Ventilation
- Cable ports
- Sliding tracks
- Lid fittings
before introducing the animal.
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
Réunion Island Day Geckos are well suited to naturalistic bioactive enclosures.
A properly established system may contain:
- Live plants
- Natural soil
- Leaf litter
- Springtails
- Suitable isopods
Bioactive housing does not remove the need for regular maintenance and health monitoring.
Temperature Gradient
Provide a clear thermal gradient.
The entire enclosure should not be maintained at basking temperature.
Basking Temperature
Provide a localised basking area around:
29–32°C
The gecko must be able to move away from the heat easily.
General Day Temperature
Most of the enclosure can remain around:
23–27°C
Cool Area
Provide cooler shaded regions around:
21–24°C
Night Temperature
Night temperatures can generally fall to approximately:
18–22°C
A modest nighttime temperature reduction is appropriate.
Seasonal Conditions
Réunion experiences seasonal environmental variation.
Captive animals can benefit from modest seasonal changes in:
- Photoperiod
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Misting frequency
Any changes should be gradual rather than abrupt.
Overheating
Avoid allowing the entire enclosure to become excessively warm.
Arboreal glass enclosures can heat rapidly during hot weather.
Always ensure cooler shaded retreats remain available.
Heating
Where supplemental heating is required, appropriate overhead heating can be used to create a localised basking area.
Heating equipment should be safely controlled and monitored.
UVB
UVB is essential.
Réunion Island 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 own exposure.
UVB Placement
UVB effectiveness depends on:
- Lamp output
- Distance
- Mesh obstruction
- Reflector
- Enclosure design
Follow current manufacturer guidance when selecting and positioning UVB equipment.
Visible Lighting
Bright visible lighting is extremely important.
These are active daytime reptiles.
Good visible lighting encourages:
- 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 naturally rather than remaining constantly high.
Humidity Cycle
Humidity will normally rise following misting and gradually decrease as ventilation dries the enclosure.
This fluctuation is desirable.
Permanently saturated conditions should be avoided.
Misting
Light misting:
Once or twice daily
works well in many setups.
Frequency depends on:
- Ventilation
- Planting
- Substrate
- Room humidity
- Season
Allow enclosure surfaces to partially dry between misting sessions.
Hydration
Réunion Island 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
Réunion Island 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
- Black soldier fly larvae
- Silkworms
- Other appropriately sized captive-produced insects
Prey should always be appropriately sized.
Gut Loading
Feeder insects should be properly gut-loaded before use.
Suitable 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
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
- Season
- 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.
Réunion Island 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
Male/Female Housing
Experienced breeders may maintain compatible male/female pairs in sufficiently large and densely furnished accommodation.
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
Réunion Island 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 can occasionally occur.
Multiple clutches may be produced during a breeding season.
Egg Deposition
Eggs may be deposited in protected locations such as:
- Bamboo
- Cork
- Plant structures
- Concealed enclosure furnishings
Depending on deposition site, eggs may be difficult to remove safely.
Never forcibly remove firmly attached eggs.
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 and contain newly emerged hatchlings.
Incubation
Eggs can generally be incubated around:
24–27°C
under stable conditions.
Incubation commonly lasts approximately:
50–75+ days
depending on temperature and other factors.
Avoid excessive incubation temperatures.
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
Hatchling Security
Escape prevention is critical.
Young day geckos can exploit tiny gaps around:
- Doors
- Ventilation
- Cable ports
- Sliding tracks
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 Réunion Island 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 Réunion Island 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 protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals.
Feeder Insects Too Large
Prey should be appropriately sized.
Housing Adult Males Together
Territorial aggression can cause 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 Réunion Island Day Geckos should be strongly preferred.
Advantages include:
- Known origin
- Established feeding
- Better adaptation to captivity
- Reduced parasite concerns
- Reduced collection pressure on wild populations
Responsible captive breeding and accurate record keeping help maintain sustainable captive populations.
Responsible Ownership
Before acquiring a Réunion Island 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 and red colouration
- Highly active during daylight
- Manageable adult size
- Fascinating natural 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 Réunion Island Day Gecko (Phelsuma borbonica) is a colourful and highly active island day gecko ideally suited to a spacious, well-planted naturalistic display enclosure.
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 Réunion Island 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