Andaman Islands day gecko
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| Phelsuma andamanense Blyth, 1861 |
Andaman Islands day gecko (Phelsuma andamanense Blyth, 1861) is a species of geckos. It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is only found on the Andaman Islands.
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[edit] Scientific synonyms
- Gecko chameleon Tytler, 1864
- Phelsuma madagascariensis- Loveridge, 1942: 467
- Phelsuma andamanensis Mertens, 1962
- Phelsuma andamanensis Börner, 1984
- Phelsuma andamanensis Kluge, 1993
- Phelsuma andamanensis Rösler, 2000: 101
[edit] Description
The body of this day gecko is bright green with red dots and stripes on the back. Males have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail. On both sides of the snout, a redish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the ear. The undersurface of the body is bright yellow or off-white.
[edit] Habitat
This species inhabits lowland where is typically found in domestic gardens with coconut palms and banana trees. It also sometimes lives on local huts.
[edit] Behaviour
These shy day geckos are extremely aggressive toward other members of its species.
[edit] Reproduction
Phelsuma andamanense normally lays two eggs in a protected and elevated location. The females can be extraordinarily fertile. It has been observed that during a period of 18 months, 14 pairs of eggs were laid.
[edit] References
- Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagascars, 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.
