Madagascar giant day gecko
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| Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis Gray, 1870 |
Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis Gray, 1870) is a diurnal arboreal subspecies of geckos. It lives in northern Madagascar. The Madagascar giant day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
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[edit] Scientific synonyms:
- Phelsuma grandis Gray, 1870
- Phelsuma madagascariensis venusta Mertens, 1964
- Phelsuma madagascariensis notissima Mertens, 1970 (fide Meier, 1982)
[edit] Description
This lizard is among the largest of all living day geckos species. It can reach a total length of about 28 cm. The body colour is bright green or, rarely, bluish green. A red stripe extends from the nostril to the eye. On the back there are red coloured dots or bars. These red markings may be quite variable, and in some cases, completely absent. Some specimens may have small blue spots. Young individuals of the species often exhibit much more red than their parents, but as time passes, many of the markings fade, to leave those that will remain until the gecko dies.
[edit] Distribution
This species is widely distributed in northern and northwest Madagascar. It can also be found on some of the off shore islets. There are a few recorded populations of this species also in Florida, and Hawaii, introduced by accident, which seem to like the climate in these locations.
[edit] Habitat
Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis is often found on different trees where it can be seen basking. They also inhabit human dwellings. The climate is rather dry, though heavy rainfalls are quite common. This means that there is a constant level of high humidity throughout the year.
[edit] Diet
These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar. Geckos in the wild and in captivity have been observed consuming their own young.
[edit] Behaviour
Like most Phelsuma spec., the males can be quite quarrelsome and territorial and will not accept other males in their neighbourhood. In captivity, where the females cannot escape, the males can also sometimes seriously wound a female. In this case the male and female must be separated.
[edit] Reproduction
The breeding season is between November and the first weeks of May. During this period, the females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 60–65 days. The juveniles measure 70 mm and reach sexual maturity after one year.
[edit] Care and maintenance in captivity
These animals should be housed in pairs and need a large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25 and 28°C, never falling below 17, and never exceeding about 36. The humidity should be maintained between 65 and 75%. These geckos desiccate easily and quickly, so falling below this range can be dangerous. Keeping the geckos at humidities above this range can be done, but levels which are too high can introduce dangerous bacteria quickly. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.
[edit] 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.
