Pasteur's day gecko

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Pasteur's day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Gekkonidae Subfamily: Gekkoninae Genus: Phelsuma Species: P. v-nigra Subspecies: P. v. pasteuri
Trinomial name
Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri 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.

Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Habitat 4 Diet 5 Care and maintenance in captivity 6 References

[edit] 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.

[edit] Distribution

This subspecies only inhabits the island Mayotte in the Comoros.

[edit] Habitat

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

[edit] Diet

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] References

1. Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
2. McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.