Pemba Island day gecko
| Pemba Island day gecko | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Subfamily: | Gekkoninae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: | P. parkeri |
| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma parkeri Loveridge, 1941 | |
Pemba Island day gecko (Parker's Day Gecko) (Phelsuma parkeri Loveridge, 1941) is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives on Pemba Island, Tanzania and typically inhabits banana trees and dwellings. The Pemba Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Scientific synonyms
- Phelsuma madagascariensis parkeri Loveridge, 1941
- Phelsuma abbotti parkeri - Broadley & Howell, 1991
- Phelsuma parkeri - Mertens, 1963
Description
This slender lizard is a mid-size day gecko. It can reach a total length of about 16 cm. The body colour is bright green. A faint red stripe extends from the nostril to the eye. On the back and limbs tiny black spots and speckles are present. This species has yellow eye rings. The ventral side is white.
Distribution
This species is found only on 1340-square-kilometre Pemba Island, which has a few much smaller islands around its coast, and which is 50 km from the Tanzanian mainland.
Habitat
Phelsuma parkeri is often found on different large trees such as banana trees and palms. This species also lives near or on human dwellings.
Diet
These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Behaviour
These geckos are quite shy and stay so, even in captivity.
Reproduction
The females of this species are colony nesters and many eggs can be found at one location. The neonates measure about 28 millimetres (1.1 in).
Care and maintenance in captivity
These animals should be housed in pairs. They need a large, well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28°C during the day. The humidity should be maintained around 65–75% during the day and slightly higher at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.
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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