Day Gecko
Reptilarium Animals
Madagascar Day Gecko
Conservation status (Least Concern)
The Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis ) is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives on the eastern coast of Madagascar and typically inhabits rain forests and dwells on trees. The Madagascar day gecko feeds on insects, fruit and nectar.
This lizard is one of the largest living day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 22 cm (8.7 in). The body colour is light green or bluish green. The skin between the scales often has a light colour. A rust-coloured stripe extends from the nostril to behind the eye. On the back there are brownish or red-brick coloured dots which may form a thin line along the mid back. These geckos do not have eyelids, and they have flattened toe pads.
P. m. magascariensis is often found on trees along the edges of forests. They also inhabit local huts and banana trees in the east coast of Madagascar because it has a humid and warm climate.
Like most Phelsuma spec., the males can be quite quarrelsome and do not accept other males in their neighbourhood. In captivity, where the females cannot escape, the males can also sometimes seriously wound a female. In this case the male and female must be separated.
These day geckos feed on many arthropods (insects and arachnids) as well as some fruit matter (mashed). They also like to lick hard, tart fruit, pollen and nectar.
