These geckos are atypical in that they are typically active in the daytime--most other geckos are nocturnal. Like most geckos, day geckos possess toe pads that allow them to climb across ceilings and glass, lack eyelids, and have soft granular skin. The inner digit is greatly reduced, so the geckos often appear to have only four fingers and toes. They are restricted to Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Most are bright green with red, blue or orange markings.

Another unusual habit of these lizards is that they feed largely on nectar gathered from flowers. Few other lizards are nectar feeders. The diet is generally supplemented with small insects and spiders. Males are very territorial, and may fight not only rival males, but some females as well.