Réunion Island day gecko

Taxobox
name = Reunion Island day gecko
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Gekkoninae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. borbonica"
subspecies = "P. b. borbonica"
trinomial = "Phelsuma borbonica borbonica"
trinomial_authority = Cheke, 1982

Reunion Island day gecko ("Phelsuma borbonica borbonica" Mertens, 1966) is a subspecies of geckos.

Scientific synonyms:

*"Phelsuma cepediana borbonica" Mertens, 1942: 97 (1966 fide Kluge, 1993)
*"Phelsuma borbonica borbonica" Cheke, 1982
*"Phelsuma borbonica" - Kluge, 1993
*"Phelsuma borbonica" - Rösler, 2000: 101

General introduction:

This diurnal gecko lives in northern Réunion. It typically dwells on banana trees. The Reunion Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description:

This lizard belongs to the middle-sized day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 16 cm. The colour can vary, depending on which population they belong to. The body colour is bluish green or dark green. The head has a yellowish colour, finely mottled with brown. On the back and tail there are brownish or red-brick coloured dots which form a network of reticulated bars. The read spots on the head and neck are smaller and more dense than those on the back. The ventral surface is yellowish with brown marbling.

Distribution:

This species only inhabits northern part of Réunion. It was found at; Les Hauts du Brûlé, Les Hauts Mensiol, Morne de Patates à Durand, near Bois de Nèfles, Belle-Vue, La Bretagne, Beaumont les Hauts, near St.Marie and Les Hauts de la Perrière near St. Suzanne.

Diet:

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25 and 28°C. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 100. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References:

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.