Seychelles small day gecko
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| Phelsuma astriata |
Seychelles small day gecko (Phelsuma atriata astriata TORNIER 1901) is a subspecies of geckos. It is a small, slender lizard with bright green colour and it feeds on insects. It is found on different islands of the Seychelles, where it often lives near human dwellings.
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Scientific synonyms:
- Phelsuma carinatum [RENDAHL 1939]
- Phelsuma maheense [RENDAHL 1939]
- Phelsuma astriata - KLUGE 1993
- Phelsuma astriata - RÖSLER 2000: 101
Description:
The body of this day gecko is lime green with rost-coloured dots and bars on the back. Those redish dots sometimes form a mid-dorsdal stripe, which can be very faint. Males often have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail and lower back. On both sides of the snout, a redish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the eye. The undersurface of the body is off-white. These lizards reach a total length of about 14 cm.
Distribution:
This gecko is found on the following Seychelles islands: Astove, Mahé, Praslin, Curieuse, La Digue, Frégate.
Habitat:
This species is typically found on coconut palms and banana trees. It often lives near human settlements.
Reproduction:
Phelsuma astriata astriata normally lays two 10 mm large eggs. The eggs are glued to leaves, trunks or at human dwellings in a protected and elevated location. Often, many females use the same location to lay their eggs.
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.