Defining Characteristics:

• Bright turquoise blue, reds and greens
• Active day gecko
• Excellent display animal 

Name: These geckos get their common name from being endemic to the small island of Réunion, southwest of Mauritius.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: A single animal can be kept in an 18x18x24 glass enclosure. Pairs have been successfully kept and bred in this size enclosure, but a larger enclosure is recommended if space allows.

A bioactive setup with live plants is strongly recommended for this species; Tropical BioBedding is recommended to maintain live plants, springtails, and isopods. Provide plenty of climbing material in the form of cork bark, branches, or bamboo for this arboreal species.

Temperature (°F):  Keep borbonica between 72 and 78°. A basking spot of around 84-86°F is also recommended. Night temperatures should not fall below 65°. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer.

Borbonica should also be provided with a 5.0 or similar strength UVB light.

Humidity: Keep borbonica in a humid but well-ventilated setup, with humidity between 70-90%. Live plants can be added to help stabilize higher humidity as well as provide humid microclimates. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer.

Mist borbonica daily to provide water droplets on the enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink. A water dish can be provided but is not necessary with regular misting; a water dish will not replace the need to regularly mist the enclosure.

Size: The Réunion Day Gecko is medium in size compared to other day geckos, typically reaching up to 7 inches at adulthood.

Age: Borbonica are at least 2 months old when sold by Josh’s Frogs, at which time they are well established. It is estimated that these geckos may live for up to 10 years in captivity.

Feeding: Borbonica are omnivores, eating both insects and fruit in the wild. In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of gecko diet mix and feeder insects. Hatchlings and juveniles should be offered 1/8 inch crickets or fruit flies until they are large enough to eat 1/4 inch crickets.

Sexing: Males can be identified by their femoral pores, which are located between the hind legs. Females lack these pores.

Color/Pattern: These striking geckos don a bright turquoise blue along their back, typically with light green legs and red patterning all across their body.

Social Behavior: We have not tested keeping borbonica in groups, so we can only recommend housing this species solo or as a pair.

Breeding: Borbonica lay 2 eggs every 3-4 weeks during the breeding season. Eggs are loose and usually not adhered to a surface. Despite their larger size, we have successfully used egg-laying tubes with them.

Natural Range: These geckos are endemic to the small island of Réunion to the south west of Mauritius.

History in the Hobby: Borbonica geckos are relatively uncommon compared to other Phelsuma species. 

Links of Interest:

• Rediscovering the Réunion Island Day Gecko
• Phelsuma borbonica mater: Reunion Blue Day Gecko