Pemba Island day gecko

Taxobox
name = Pemba Island day gecko
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
familia = Gekkonidae
subfamilia = Gekkoninae
genus = "Phelsuma"
species = "P. parkeri"
binomial = "Phelsuma parkeri"
binomial_authority = Loveridge, 1941

Pemba Island day gecko (Parker's Day Gecko) ("Phelsuma parkeri" Loveridge, 1941) is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives on Pemba Island, Tanzania and typically inhabits banana trees and dwellings. The Pemba Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Scientific synonyms

*"Phelsuma madagascariensis parkeri" Loveridge, 1941
*"Phelsuma abbotti parkeri" - Broadley & Howell, 1991
*"Phelsuma parkeri" - Mertens, 1963

Description

This slender lizard is a mid-size day gecko. It can reach a total length of about 16 cm. The body colour is bright green. A faint red stripe extends from the nostril to the eye. On the back and limbs tiny black spots and speckles are present. This species has yellow eye rings. The ventral side is white.

Distribution

This species is found only on 1340-square-kilometre Pemba Island, which has a few much smaller islands around its coast, and which is 50 km from the Tanzanian mainland.

Habitat

"Phelsuma parkeri" is often found on different large trees such as bananatrees and palms. This species also lives near or on human dwellings.

Diet

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

Behaviour

These geckos are quite shy and stay so, even in captivity.

Reproduction

The females of this species are colony nesters and many eggs can be found at one location. The neonates measure about 28 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs. They need a large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28°C during the day. The humidity should be maintained around 65–75% during the day and slightly higher 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.