Madagascar Day Gecko vs Mourning Gecko
Side-by-side care comparison to help you choose.
| Madagascar Day Gecko | Mourning Gecko | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Beginner |
| Adult size | 6-8 inches | 3.5-4 inches |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years | 5-8 years |
| Min enclosure | 18x18x24 inches (vertical) | 12x12x18 inches (10 gallon) for a small group |
| Basking temp | 85-88°F | 82-85°F |
| Humidity | 60-80% (with daily misting) | 60-80% |
| UVB | Yes - T5 HO 5.0 or 6%, Ferguson zone 2-3 | Optional - low UVB 2.0% (can thrive without) |
| Diet | Insects (crickets, roaches, mealworms) dusted with calcium/D3 2-3x/week; fruit puree or baby food daily. Juveniles fed daily, adults every other day. | Powdered fruit-based gecko diet (e.g., Pangea, Repashy) offered every other day; supplement with small insects (fruit flies, pinhead crickets) once weekly. |