Phelsuma astriata semicarinata
| Phelsuma astriata semicarinata | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | P. a. semicarinata
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Phelsuma astriata semicarinata Cheke, 1976
| |
| Synonyms | |
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Phelsuma astriata - Kluge, 1993 | |
Phelsuma astriata semicarinata is a subspecies of Seychelles day gecko. It is a small, slender gecko, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is found on different islands of the Seychelles, where it often lives near human dwellings.
Description[edit]
The body of this smallish day gecko is lime green with rost-coloured dots and bars on the back which are irregularly shaped. Those reddish dots form a thin mid-dorsdal stripe, which may be broken and may have some bars extending from it. There is a rust-coloured stripe between the nostril and the eye. On the head there is a rust-coloured, v-shaped marking with two transverse bars. Males often have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail and lower back. On both sides of the snout, a reddish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the eye. The undersurface of the body is white. These lizards reach a total length of about 12.5 cm.
Distribution[edit]
This gecko is endemic to the Seychelles island Praslin but it has also been introduced to La Réunion, where it had been recorded first in 2004.[1]
Habitat[edit]
This species is typically found on coconut palms and banana trees. It often lives near human settlements.
Diet[edit]
These day geckos feed on insects, small spiders, fruit, nectar and pollen.
Reproduction[edit]
Phelsuma astriata semicarinata normally lays two 10 mm large eggs. The eggs are not glued to leaves, as this species is among the "non-gluer" variety. Eggs should generally hatch in 70 – 75 days and should be incubated at approximately 25 degrees Celsius.[2]
Care and maintenance in captivity[edit]
Phelsuma astriata semicarinata should be housen in pairs. They need a vertically oriented and well planted terrarium with vertically oriented and horizontally oriented bambus sticks as thick as a thumb.
Bibliography[edit]
- Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
- McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.
References[edit]
- ^ (in French)[Mozzi, Déso & Probst, 2005. Un nouveau gecko vert introduit à la Réunion: Le Phelsuma astriata semicarinata (Cheke, 1982). - Bulletin Phaethon 21: 1-4 http://reptilvar.free.fr/Gecko_introduit_Reunion.pdf]
- ^ Day Geckos in Captivity by Lean and Greg Christenson, Page 114 (2002)