Pasteur's day gecko

Taxobox
name = Pasteur's day gecko
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Gekkoninae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. v-nigra"
subspecies = "P. v. pasteuri"
trinomial = "Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri"
trinomial_authority = Meier, 1984

Pasteur's day gecko ("Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri" Meier, 1984 (syn."Phelsuma pasteuri" Meirte, 1999)) is a small diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives in the Comoros and typically inhabits trees and bushes. Pasteur's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description

This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum length of approximately 11 cm. The body colour is bright green. The tail may be bright blue. There is a red v-shaped stripe on the snout and a red bar between the eyes. On the back there often are a number of small red-brick coloured dots. Typical is the turquoise blue patch in the neck region, which may be segmented by a small red dorsal stripe. A yellow ring around the eye is present. This subspecies doesn't have the typical v-shaped marking on the throat The ventral side is yellowish.

Distribution

This subspecies only inhabits the island Mayotte in the Comoros.

Habitat

"Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri" is found on bushes and trees along streams.

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 medium sized, well planted terrarium. The daytime temperature should be between 28 and 30°C and 24 and 26°C at night. The humidity should be not too high. A two month winter cooldown should be included during which temperature is 25°C at daytime and 20°C at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, 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.