Care Sheets at PhelsumaWeb.co.uk
Phelsuma klemmeri (Neon Day Gecko)
Common Name: Yellow Headed Day Gecko or Neon Day Gecko
Scientific Name: Phelsuma klemmeri Seipp, 1990
Description:
Phelsuma klemmeri will reach a length of 9 cm. The colors of the animals are wonderful: a yellow head, blue body with black bars and a brown rear. Splendid art work from Mother Nature. Grown-up males can be distinguished by the femoral pores and the yellow / orange color round the vent.
Phelsuma klemmeri originate from Madagascar (Northwestern part). They live in bamboo woods. These woods have a warm and moist climate throughout the year. The researchers, that discovered this species, have never published the exact finding place to prevent harm to the population. Nevertheless in the early 90’s the first wild caught specimens came to Europe.
Housing:
I’m keeping a trio and a couple within two tanks which measure 45x45x35cm. The tank is being lit by one Fluorescent tube. The tank is being heated with a spot of 25W. This spot is switched off when it’s getting too warm. These geckos love a lot of light and warmth. This way they are on their prettiest. During daytime the temperature is kept between the 27 and 35 degrees Celsius. During the night the temperature will be between the 18 and 22 degrees Celsius. The tanks are organized with vertically placed bamboo poles (diameter ± 6 cm). Through holes in the bamboo is it possible for them to go within the bamboo poles. To stay there for the night or for the laying of eggs. If you like you can plant the terrarium with some vegetation. A high humidity is desired. This high humidity level is reached by everyday misting. During the winter months I keep the animals dryer, by misting not regularly. In nature there is also a period with less rainfall.
Behaviour:
Phelsuma Klemmeri are not only beautiful coloured, but also there behaviour makes them pleasant animals. They are active the whole day with climbing, running and foraging. When the terrarium is large enough it is also possible to keep multiple males. Sometimes there will be some sort of fighting, but they won’t kill each other, like many other species. Klemmeris are not particularly aggressive. They are also not aggressive to there juveniles. But you have to be careful by introducing new individuals into the terrarium. It is better to place the complete collection within a new enclosure. The Phelsuma klemmeri is a master in escaping. They see probability to escape through the crevice between the front windows, even if this crevice is only 2mm. The animals are very fast and catching them is not easy. A terrarium which can be sealed off perfectly is a must.
Feeding:
I am feeding my animals with tiny insects, mainly fruit flies. The flies are powdered with calcium - vitamin preps, under which Korvimin®. Like other Phelsumas also klemmeri’s like sweet stuff, like roosvicee® and banana. To prevent the animals for getting too fat it is best to feed them on special Phelsuma food. It is also necessary to add once in a while some vitamin D3 to the drinking-water. This is very important for the nourishment of calcium. In case special ultraviolet tubes (Reptisun) are used, adding vitamin D3 isn’t directly necessary.
Breeding:
Under the correct circumstances these animals will start to breed for sure. A higher temperature and humidity during spring will encourage them to breed. A female will produce 2 eggs per month during the season. It is possible to see theeggs under the skin of the animal. The eggs are roughly 6 mm big and as a rule they are laid within one of the bamboo poles. The incubation time is roughly 45 days. The juveniles are tiny duplicates of there parents and will grow quickly. I leave the eggs to hatch in the terrarium. The parents won’t eat the juveniles. Sometimes they think the tail of a juvenile is an insect and try to eat the tail. That is regrettable, but with klemmeri’s the tail will grow back pretty. After 6-9 month are the juveniles sexually mature. They will reach an age of 5-6 years.
Recommended Reading:
Christenson, L. & G. 2003. Day Geckos in Captivity. Living Art Publishing, Oklahoma, U.S.A. 194pp.
Glaw, F. & M. Vences. 1994. A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Second Edition. Moos Druck, Leverkusen, Germany. 480pp.
Henkel, F.-W. & W. Schmidt. 2000. Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar and the Mascarene, Seychelles, and Comoro Islands. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida, U.S.A. 316pp.
McKeown, S. 1993. The General Care and Maintenance of Day Geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside, California, U.S.A. 143pp.
Seufer, H. 1991. Keeping and Breeding Geckos. T.F.H. Publications Inc. Neptune, U.S.A. 189pp.
