Gold dust day gecko
Island of Nosy Komba, Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species:
P. laticauda
Binomial name
Phelsuma laticauda
(Boettger, 1880)
Synonyms

Pachydactylus laticauda Boettger, 1880

The gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives in northern Madagascar, Tanzania (Dar Es Salaam), and on the island of Comoros; it has also been introduced to Hawaii and other Pacific islands.[1] It's typically seen in houses and various trees. The gold dust day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

One subspecies is recognized (in addition to the nominate one): Phelsuma laticauda angularis.[2]

Description

This lizard can reach a total length of 3.9-5.1″ (10-13cm). The body colour is a bright green or yellowish green or rarely blue. Typical for this day gecko are the red speckles on the neck and the upper back. There are three rust-coloured transverse bars on the snout and head; the upper part of the skin around the eye is blue. On the lower back there are three tapering red bars. The tail is slightly flattened. The under side is off-white. Juveniles lack the red colourations and the tail and limbs appear off-white.

Diet

Phelsuma laticauda laticauda licking nectar from the 'bird of paradise' flower of Strelitzia
Close-up of gold dust day gecko on the island of Hawaii

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates, and are capable of eating other smaller lizards. They also eat soft, sweet fruit and pollen and nectar from flowers, often congregating in groups of many individuals to feed off of one plant.

Behavior

Gold dust day geckos fighting on a banana plant in central Saint-Denis, Réunion

The males of this species are rather aggressive. They do not accept other males in their territory. In captivity, where the females cannot escape, the males may also seriously wound a female.

Reproduction

The females lay 1-2 eggs. At a temperature of 28 °C, the young will hatch after approximately 40–45 days. The juveniles measure 55–60 mm. They should be kept separately since the juveniles can be quite quarrelsome. Sexual maturity is reached after 10–12 months.

Captivity

This gecko is occasionally kept as a pet; with good care, this species may live up to 15 years.

References

  1. 1 2 Gerlach, J.; Ineich, I. & Vences, M. (2011). "Phelsuma laticauda". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2011: e.T61433A12483895. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T61433A12483895.en. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  2. ↑ Phelsuma laticauda at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 6 June 2013.
  • Christenson, Leann and Greg (2003). Day Geckos In Captivity. Ada, Oklahoma: Living Art Publishing. p. 194. ISBN 0-9638130-2-1.
  • Henkel, F.-W.; Schmidt, W. (1995). Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Stuttgart: Ulmer. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9.
  • McKeown, Sean (1993). The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Lakeside, CA: Advanced Vivarium Systems.
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