Yellow-headed day gecko

Taxobox
name = Yellow-headed day gecko


image_width = 220px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Gekkoninae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. klemmeri"
binomial = "Phelsuma klemmeri"
binomial_authority = Seipp, 1991

Yellow-headed day gecko ("Phelsuma klemmeri" Seipp, 1991) is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives in the coastal area in northwest Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The Yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description

This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 9.5 cm. The body colour of this slender and long-snouted gecko is turquoise blue at the upper and mid-back. The lower back is light brown. Most of the tail is turquoise blue. Remarkable is the laterally flattened body. Another typical characteristic is the yellow head. A dark black spot is present behind the eye, followed by a black stripe which extends to the rear extremities. The legs and toes are brown speckled. The ventral side is grayish white. The sexes can easily be distinguished by the orange color around the femoral pores of the males.

Distribution

This species inhabits northwest Madagascar, along the coast. It is only known from the area around Antsatsaka.

Habitat

"P. klemmeri" typically lives in bamboo forests. They sometimes share their habitat with "Phelsuma seippi" and "Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis". They are found only on yellow bamboo canes which they also use to hide in case of danger.

Diet

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

Behaviour

This "Phelsuma" species likes to bask a lot. It often lives in small groups.

Reproduction

The females lay a pair of eggs and hide them in bamboo canes. At a temperature of 27°C (80.6°F), the young will hatch after approximately 39-52 days. The juveniles measure 22-29 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs in a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between about 28°C (82.4°F) during the day and around 20°C (68°F) at nighttime. The relative humidity should be maintained between 75 and 100% In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth, fruits 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.