Andaman Islands day gecko

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Geckos
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: P. andamanense
Binomial name
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.

Contents

[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.
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