Keeper timer setting
T5 UVB: one hour later on, one hour earlier off
During active care — ON: 1 hour after daylight starts.
OFF: 1 hour before daylight ends.
During hibernation / full brumation: T5 UVB OFF (0 hours). In transition months, keep UVB off while dormant and use the active timer only once the animal is warmed and active.
October: daylight 11.7 h; T5 UVB 9 h 42 m.
The active T5 duration is the photoperiod minus two hours. Example: daylight 08:00–20:00 means UVB 09:00–19:00. Follow the monthly UVI strength measured beneath the tube and provide access to shade. This timing rule does not introduce hibernation for species whose schedule has only a mild or active winter rest. If an older combined heat / UV column is present, the new T5 UVB duration column governs UVB timing; existing heat settings are preserved.
UVI beneath the optional T5 tube
Working exposure targetOctober target at normal back height
UVI 1.5-2.5directly under the tube when it is on
The retained range remains a provisional captive working target. No new species-specific result was found that clearly requires a numerical change. Retaining it is not certification of an experimentally established optimum.
Your measuring point
Measure at the animal's normal back height directly beneath the brightest accessible part of the T5 strip, positioned toward the middle/back. The animal can enter and leave this area freely.
Keep a lower-UVI gradient and fully covered refuges near UVI 0. This is the optional exposure area, not the average across the cage.
Use a UV Index meter, such as a Solarmeter 6.5/6.5R. Warm the tube for about 30 minutes; keep reflector, guards and mesh in place. Raise or lower the fixture within its manufacturer's minimum-distance guidance, then recheck the reading and every higher accessible surface.
Evidence level: Provisional retention. These are working recommendations, often inferred; exact species optima and seasonal UV dose usually have not been measured. Log lamp-on time and animal behaviour as well as UVI.
Baines et al. (2016), UV-Tool · Muryn, Baines and Dishman (2026), Reptile Lighting Guide V10
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Reduce reproductive pressure; separate if needed
Central-eastern Madagascar highland humid forest, Andramasina/Mangabe region
22-25 CDay air
16-18 CNight
29-32 CBasking
1.5-2.5T5 UVI*
11.7 hPhotoperiod
9 h 42 mT5 UVB duration
68-78 / 82-90%RH day / night*
Transition drier; 1-2 mist cycles/dayRain / mist
2-3Food days/week
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day air | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Rain / mist | Food days/week | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20-23 C | 14-17 C | 28-30 C | 1-2 | 11.2 h | 9 h 12 m | 65-75 / 80-88% | Cool/drier; brief AM mist, good ventilation | 1-2 | Rest; avoid chronic warmth at night |
| February | 21-24 C | 15-18 C | 29-31 C | 1-2.5 | 11.6 h | 9 h 36 m | 68-78 / 82-90% | Drier but increasing; daily mist | 2 | Begin gradual seasonal ramp-up |
| March | 22-25 C | 16-18 C | 30-32 C | 1.5-2.5 | 12.0 h | 10 h | 70-80 / 84-92% | Rain slowly increases; AM + PM droplets | 2-3 | Condition breeders; increase prey quality |
| April | 23-26 C | 17-19 C | 30-33 C | 1.5-3 | 12.5 h | 10 h 30 m | 74-84 / 88-95% | Wet season starts; 2-3 mist cycles | 3-4 | Primary breeding trigger; watch for gravid females |
| May | 24-27 C | 18-20 C | 31-34 C | 1.5-3 | 12.9 h | 10 h 54 m | 76-86 / 90-95% | Heavy wet season; mist then ventilate | 3-4 | Courtship, mating and early laying |
| June | 24-27 C | 18-20 C | 31-34 C | 1.5-3 | 13.1 h | 11 h 6 m | 76-86 / 90-95% | Peak wet; frequent droplets, no stagnant air | 3-4 | Breeding/laying; replenish female reserves |
| July | 24-27 C | 18-20 C | 31-34 C | 1.5-3 | 13.0 h | 11 h | 75-85 / 90-95% | Warm/wet: 2-3 mist cycles, strong airflow | 3-4 | Peak warm/wet season; laying may continue |
| August | 24-27 C | 18-20 C | 31-34 C | 1.5-3 | 12.6 h | 10 h 36 m | 75-85 / 88-95% | Wet; heavy AM + lighter PM mist | 3-4 | Breeding/laying; monitor female calcium |
| September | 23-26 C | 17-19 C | 30-33 C | 1.5-3 | 12.2 h | 10 h 12 m | 72-82 / 86-93% | Rain easing; daily droplets remain essential | 3 | Late breeding; female recovery |
| October | 22-25 C | 16-18 C | 29-32 C | 1.5-2.5 | 11.7 h | 9 h 42 m | 68-78 / 82-90% | Transition drier; 1-2 mist cycles/day | 2-3 | Reduce reproductive pressure; separate if needed |
| November | 21-24 C | 15-17 C | 28-31 C | 1-2.5 | 11.3 h | 9 h 18 m | 65-75 / 80-88% | Cool/drier; light daily mist + drinking droplets | 2 | Seasonal rest begins; no brumation |
| December | 20-23 C | 14-17 C | 28-30 C | 1-2 | 11.1 h | 9 h 6 m | 65-75 / 80-88% | Cool/drier; brief AM mist, foliage dries by day | 1-2 | Deepest seasonal rest; maintain body condition |
Keeper notes
Use measured gradients and animal behaviour, not single thermostat readings
T5 UVI measurement
Measure UVI at normal back height directly beneath the brightest accessible part of the optional T5 strip. Place the strip toward the middle/back with free access to and away from it; preserve a gradient into fully covered refuges near UVI 0. These numbers describe the exposure area, not the whole enclosure or a daily average.
UVI review
The retained range remains a provisional captive working target. No new species-specific result was found that clearly requires a numerical change. Retaining it is not certification of an experimentally established optimum.
Northern Hemisphere calendar
For the Netherlands facility: cooler/drier rest November-February; gradual ramp-up February-March; main breeding trigger April-May; warm/wet peak June-August. Madagascar wild dates are six months earlier or later and are not the keeper calendar.
Habitat
Field surveys found P. pronki at about 800-1300 m, usually on large dead trees/open sunny patches within humid evergreen forest.
Cool nights
Routine winter nights around 14-17 C are a conservative captive target. Wild sites can experience lower extremes, but do not force very low temperatures without specialist experience.
Egg type
P. pronki is a free-egg layer (non-gluer). Older sources reporting glued eggs are outdated.
Incubation
Keeper reports indicate about 40-80 days depending on temperature; use moderate incubation rather than pushing heat.
Status
IUCN 2025-1: Endangered. CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B. Retain provenance and legal documentation.
Handling
Day-gecko skin is delicate. Avoid grabbing; use transfer containers and visual herding.