Andaman Islands day gecko

Andaman Islands day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Gekkonidae
Genus:Phelsuma
Species: P. andamanense
Binomial name
Phelsuma andamanense
Blyth, 1861
Synonyms
  • Gecko chameleon Tytler, 1864
  • Phelsuma madagascariensis andamanense Loveridge, 1942

Andaman Islands day gecko (Phelsuma andamanense) is a species of geckos. It is found only on the Andaman and the Nicobar islands of India.[1][2] It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is noteworthy that its range is nearly 5000 km away from the centre of the distribution area of the genus Phelsuma.[3]

ANDAMAN ISLAND Day Geko

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 reddish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the ear. The undersurface of the body is bright yellow or off-white.

Habitat

Phelsuma andamanense inhabits lowlands where is typically found in domestic gardens on coconut palms, screw pines, banana trees and on sisal plants.[3] It also sometimes lives on local huts.

Behaviour

These shy day geckos are extremely aggressive toward other members of its species.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 Richman, N. & Böhm, M. (2010). "Phelsuma andamanense". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T177829A7465896. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T177829A7465896.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  2. ↑ Phelsuma andamanense at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 19 February 2014.
  3. 1 2 Phelsuma.org
  • 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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