The Blue Tailed Day Gecko, also known as the Mauritius Upland Day Gecko, is an attractive lizard native to Madagascar and, specifically, the island of Mauritius. While they are beautiful little animals, Blue Tailed Day Geckos are very difficult to care for and should only be kept by experienced lizard keepers.

Blue Tailed Day Geckos are known for their tendency to fight with one another. They live in flat, smooth areas where there are plenty of places to bask. They are arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in trees, and diurnal, meaning they are active primarily during the day. This is different from most other species of geckos, which are nocturnal. Blue Tailed Day Geckos feed primarily on insects. They also have a sweet tooth and enjoy fruit and honey. In captivity, geckos feed on small insects and mashed fruit. Like most geckos, the Blue Tailed Day Gecko is capable of shedding its tail in a threatening situation and growing a new one.

One of the most beautiful specimens known, the Blue Tailed Day Gecko derives its name from its coloration. Their body is dark-green or blue-green, and the tail and hind legs in particular are usually a brilliant turquoise color. They have red spots. Males are slightly more colorful than females and sexually mature males have enlarged femoral pores on their hind legs. Sexually mature females often develop calcium deposits behind the ears.

Blue Tailed Day Geckos are one of the Phelsuma species, characterized by their locations in Madagascar and the Reunion and Mauritius Islands off the coast of Madagascar and by their bright colors and markings. Because the Blue Tailed Day Gecko is diurnal, any devoted hobbyist planning to visit these islands should go during the day.

Blue Tailed Day Geckos can be fed small insects including crickets and mealworms. They also enjoy mashed fruit occasionally. Because it is difficult to teach geckos to drink from a water bowl, their enclosure should be misted daily. This daily misting will help keep the humidity at the necessary high levels as well as providing water for the gecko to drink. Blue Tailed Day Geckos have a very high mortality rate in captivity. They should only be kept by very experienced owners.

Males can be distinguished from females by observing either enlarged femoral pores on the hind legs (males) or calcium deposits behind the ears (females). Males also have a broader head and are more colorful. Female Blue Tailed Day Geckos lay clutches of two eggs throughout the year. The eggs are incubated for two or three months before hatching. The hatchling geckos are sexually mature in about one year.