Four Spot Day Gecko

Taxobox
name = Peacock Day Gecko


image_size = 240px
image_caption = Peacock Day Gecko eating, "Phelsuma quadriocellata"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. quadriocellata"
subspecies = "P. q. quadriocellata"
trinomial = "Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata"
trinomial_authority = Peters, 1883
synonyms = "Pachydactylus quadriocellatus" Peters, 1883 "Phelsuma quadriocellata leiura" Meier, 1883The Four Spot Day Gecko ("Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata") or Peacock Day Gecko is a diurnal gecko that lives in eastern Madagascar. It typically inhabits trees and houses. The Four Spot Day Gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description

This lizard is one of the smallest day geckos. It can reach a length of about 12 cm. The body is dark green, the back covered with small red dots and bars. Small blue speckles may be present on the neck. Characteristic of this gecko are four turquoise spots, outlined in black, in the armpit area behind the front legs and in front of the rear limbs. This species has yellow eye rings. The ventral side is beige.

Distribution and Habitat

The four spot day gecko inhabits the east coast of Madagascar, and is quite common in the region around Andasibe. Preferring a moist warm climate, it inhabits various trees, including the banana, and is often found near human habitation.

Behaviour and Diet

The Four Spot eats various insects and other invertebrates, but they also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar. These geckos are most active after the cooler months of June-August.Their mating season falls between October and the first weeks of May. During this period the females lay two eggs 3-5 weeks apart. Up to 6 pairs of eggs are laid per year. At a constant temperature of 28°C, the young hatch after 40-45 days and measure about 30 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28°C (locally around 30°C) during the day dropping to around 20°C at night. The daytime humidity should be maintained between 75 and 80%. It is important to include two cooler months with a daytime temperature of 24°C and 16°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.