The idea of owning a day gecko sounds great, but there are a lot of questions to be answered before purchasing said gecko. Price for instance. The price of a Madagascar Day Gecko by itself is approximately fifty dollars. Pet stores might offer a deal for buying the gecko and several necessities such as terrarium, lights, etc. Herp Supplies is a great online place to buy any day gecko needs.
Vivarium and Supplies
Vivarium prices vary depending on what a person is looking for. Custom made vivariums are the most expensive but made exactly as the buyer wants. Cages by Design lets buyers design their own terrarium, or select from pre-designed ones. Prices start at just over three-hundred dollars. Zoo Med has a great product called ReptiBreeze, a terrarium which comes in different sizes. A day gecko would need at least a large. A large ReptiBreeze costs from $80 to $125 without tax. With a light hood, it’s an extra $60.
Since day geckos are diurnal, it’s important they have some sort of UV light source. If there is a light hood on the gecko’s vivarium, Flukers has a great selection of UV lights at around $15. Flukers also offers a light hood/light combo for $35. Black lights are available to keep temperatures up during the night without the brightness of day, and run about $15.
The cheapest way to provide humidity is to mist the gecko’s habitat several times a day. To ensure temperature and humidity are at the correct level, a thermometer and hygrometer are handy. Again, Flukers has a therm/hygrom combo for $16.
Vivarium Plants
The easiest way to go is artificial plants. Then there’s no need to worry about possessing a green thumb. Artificial spider orchids and anthurium bushes can be bought for $9.50 and $6.50 respectively at Herp Supplies. Several of each of these in a vivarium should be enough to provide cover and make the gecko feel safe. Basking rocks range from $10-$15, and different types of vine cost $5.50-$20.
Food
T-Rex and Zoo Med have the most user-friendly day gecko diet, no live insects required! T-Rex’s Day Gecko Diet MRP is $4,while Zoo Med’s is $2.50. If feeding crickets, it’s possible to buy already canned gut-loaded crickets for about $6 a bottle. Live insects will need to sprinkled with a calcium supplement (Reptivite ~ $15) or fed some type of high calcium food (~$3).
Most Wallet-Friendly Breakdown of Day Gecko Necessities (tax included):
- Gecko - $55
- Vivarium - $100
- UV light and hood - $38
- Thermometer/Hygrometer - $17
Artificial Plants:
- Wood substrate - $6
- Spider orchid - $19.00 (x2)
- Anthurium bush - $13.00 (x2)
- Vine – $9-$14
- Basking rock - $18
Food:
- Day Gecko Diet - $3/bottle
- Food dish - $5
Total: ~ $284
Items to Upkeep and Maintain: lights and food
After the initial financial burn, a day gecko costs very little to maintain! Of course the above price is close to the cheapest a day gecko and supplies would cost. People could easily spend several thousand on an initial gecko purchase. For the financially challenged though, a one-time $284 isn’t that bad of a deal for a quiet companion who adds a lot of beauty to life. To read more about this reptile, visit Madagascar Day Gecko and its Care.
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