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Grand Comoro day gecko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Comoros Day Gecko - Right
Comoros Day Gecko - Left

Grand Comoro Day Gecko
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
Subspecies:
P. v. comoraegrandensis
Trinomial name
Phelsuma v-nigra comoraegrandensis
Meier, 1986

The Grand Comoro Day Gecko (Phelsuma v-nigra comoraegrandensis Meier, 1986) is a small diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives in the Comoros and typically inhabits trees and bushes. The Grand Comoro day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description

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This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum length of approximately 10 cm. Their bodies are bright green, which may have a blue hue. There is a red v-shaped stripe on the snout and two red bars between the eyes. On the back there often are a large number of small red-brick coloured dots which may form a faint mid dorsal stripe. The flanks are grey. There is a v-shaped marking on the throat. The ventral side is yellowish white. This lizard also does not have eyelids like all day geckos.

Distribution

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This species only inhabits the island Grand Comoro in the Comoros.

Habitat

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The Grand Comoro day gecko inhabits moist forests, palm trees and human dwellings.

Diet

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These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen, and nectar.

Reproduction

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At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 45 days. The juveniles measure 35 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

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These animals should be housed in pairs and need a medium-sized, well planted terrarium. The daytime temperature should be between 28 and 30 °C and 24 and 26 °C at night. The humidity should be around 75–90%. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms, and houseflies.

References

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  1. Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
  2. McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.