Andaman Islands day gecko

The Andaman Islands day gecko (Phelsuma andamanensis) is a species of gecko. 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. Its range is nearly 5000 km away from the centre of the distribution area of the genus Phelsuma, in Mauritius and Madagascar.[3]

Andaman Islands day gecko

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

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 andamanensis 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 andamanensis 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. 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 andamanensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 11 January 2020.
  3. 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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