As well as being hardy, Standing's Day Geckos tame readily.
Seems the best way to describe this Malagasy beauty is to simply call it what it was--the biggest and the best of that diverse genus. True, it might be equaled in length by a male Giant Day Gecko,
Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis, but Standing’s Day Gecko,
P. standingi, is bulkier. When properly fed, a captive lifespan of 15 to 20+ years is not uncommon. In this genus of bright green geckos, that it was not the most colorful was obvious. But color isn’t everything, and the hatchlings, with their green heads, red-banded body, and blue tail, more than make up for the muted greens, blues, and grays of the adults. Additionally, after gentle acclimatization this 9 to 11+ inch long gecko is of a relatively quiet, unafraid, demeanor and often allows gentle handling. All said, it is an ideal pet lizard.
Like other species in this genus of about 70 species, Standing’s Day Gecko is largely diurnal and arboreal. Two larger species once existed but are now considered extinct and the blame is laid on habitat destruction. In nature this gecko not only licks nectar and pollen and fruit, but also consumes a fair number of insects and an occasional small vertebrate. Captives will readily eat insects and prepared Day Gecko Food.
Ours were housed in a 65 gallon hexagonal aquarium set up with vertical and diagonal hollow limbs, growing plants, and an easily accessed feeding platform. They drank droplets of water from the glass. Not until their deaths at a ripe old ages did we part.
Several clutches were produced annually by adult females. Eggs may be produced singly or in pairs.
Standing's Day Gecko, quietly colored but big and impressive.
As far as color is concerned, hatchling Standing's Day Geckos outshine the adults.