Réunion Island day gecko

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Reunion Island day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: P. borbonica
Subspecies: P. b. borbonica
Trinomial name
Phelsuma borbonica borbonica
Cheke, 1982

Reunion Island day gecko (Phelsuma borbonica borbonica Mertens, 1966) is a subspecies of geckos.

Contents

[edit] Scientific synonyms:

  • Phelsuma cepediana borbonica Mertens, 1942: 97 (1966 fide Kluge, 1993)
  • Phelsuma borbonica borbonica Cheke, 1982
  • Phelsuma borbonica - Kluge, 1993
  • Phelsuma borbonica - Rösler, 2000: 101

[edit] General introduction:

This diurnal gecko lives in northern Réunion. It typically dwells on banana trees. The Reunion Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

[edit] Description:

This lizard belongs to the middle-sized day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 16 cm. The colour can vary, depending on which population they belong to. The body colour is bluish green or dark green. The head has a yelowish colour, finely mottled with brown. On the back and tail there are brownish or red-brick coloured dots which form a network of reticulated bars. The read spots on the head and neck are smaller and more dense than those on the back. The ventral surface is yelowish with brown marbling.

[edit] Distribution:

This species only inhabits northern part of Réunion. It was found at; Les Hauts du Brûlé, Les Hauts Mensiol, Morne de Patates à Durand, near Bois de Nèfles, Belle-Vue, La Bretagne, Beaumont les Hauts, near St.Marie and Les Hauts de la Perrière near St. Suzanne.

[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 large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25 and 28°C. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 100. 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.

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