Origin: Mauritius, both coastal and interior regions. Occupies low, mid and high elevations. Prefers vegetation and less arid regions.

Size: Females average 3.75-4.5 inches. Males average 4.5-5.5 inches.

Lifespan: In captivity about 3-8 years, exceptional specimens 10 years.

Active Period: Diurnal.

Captive Care: Tall aquarium with tight fitting screen top. Live plants are highly recommended. Cork bark or bamboo pieces for climbing and basking. Cover three sides of tank with scenic background or cork bark. Substrate can be peat moss, good quality potting soil, cypress mulch and pesticide free orchid bark.

Temperature: Daytime 70-90 degrees F. Nighttime 67-72 degrees F.

Lighting: Full spectrum lighting is a must, anywhere from 8-12 hours a day depending on pet or breeding situation. Heat basking lamps also recommended in 1 to 2 different areas of the enclosure (not to exceed temps. of 88-90 degrees F).

Food: Small crickets, wingless fruit flies, flies, fresh fruit and/or baby food, vitamin and calcium supplements are a must. Insects can be offered 2 to 3 times a week along with the fruits.

Breeding: House in pairs, keep humidity levels up and good airflow. Heavily planted vivarium recommended, this species is an "egg-gluer". Eggs must be protected and incubated in enclosure. Prime for breeding with full spectrum light cycles, 8 hours on for 2-3 weeks. Next increase to 12 hours on, to induce breeding behavior. It is possible that cepediana will breed year round.

Hatchlings: Should be housed separately, with full spectrum lighting. Cepediana is listed as possible GSD, however, more data is needed. These should be fed tiny crickets every other day, and fruit and/or baby food with vitamin supplement.

Temperament and Behavior: Best not to handle because of delicate skin, and skirmish attitude. High stress levels also accompany handling. Never house males together, extremely territorial and aggressive.

References:
Mazorlig, Tom. "An introduction to Day Geckos." Reptile & Amphibian Hobbyist. January, 2000.
McKeown, Sean. "How To Successfully Keep the Smaller Day Geckos." Reptiles Magazine. September, 1996.
McKeown, Sean. "Ornate Day Geckos: In the Wild and in Captivity." Reptiles Magazine. July, 2000.
McKeown, Sean. "Successfully Breeding the Smaller Day Geckos." Reptiles Magazine. October, 1996.
McKeown, Sean. "The General Care and Maintenance of Day Geckos." The Herpetocultural Library. Published by Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside. California 92040, U.S.A. Copyright 1993.
Rundquist, Eric M. "Day Geckos." T.F.H. Publications, Inc. U.S.A. Copyright 1995.
Taylor, Reid MD. "Keeping and Breeding the Larger Day Geckos." Reptiles Magazine. August, 1995.
Underwood, Eileen. Reptile lab wall chart on sex determination. Biology Building, BGSU.
Wright, Kevin M. and Marlene. "Parental Tolerance of Offspring by Standing’s Day Geckos, Phelsuma standingi." The Vivarium Magazine, volume 9, number 4.

Compiled by Tina Leverenz