Barbour's day gecko

Barbour's day gecko
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Phelsuma
Species:	P. barbouri
Binomial name
	Phelsuma barbouri; Loveridge, 1942

Last updated December 22, 2022

Barbour's day gecko (Phelsuma barbouri) is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to central Madagascar. It is diurnal and typically dwells on rocks. Barbour's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Etymology

The specific name, barbouri, as well as the common name, Barbour's day gecko, are in honor of American herpetologist Thomas Barbour.^[3]

Description

P. barbouri is a middle-sized day gecko. It can reach a total length (including tail) of about 13.5 cm (5.3 in). The body colour is brownish green or dark green. Both a dark brown dorso-lateral stripe and a dark brown lateral stripe extend from head to tail. The extremities are normally brown. The tail is unicoloured green and slightly flattened.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geographic range

P. barbouri inhabits the highlands of central Madagascar in the Ankaratra Mountains, at altitudes of 1,600–2,640 m (5,250–8,660 ft).^[1]^[4]

Habitat

In contrast to other lizards of the genus Phelsuma, P. barbouri is terrestrial and typically lives on stones on the ground or on rocks in savanna habitat.^[1] The climate of its habitat is extremely harsh. There is a huge difference in temperature between night and day, and between different seasons. The maximum day temperature is 30 °C (86 °F). At night, it is cool and foggy.^{[ citation needed ]}

Diet

P. barbouri feeds on various insects and other invertebrates.^{[ citation needed ]}

Behaviour

P. barbouri often lives in small groups. During the day, it flattens its body to catch as much sun as possible. This way it can reach its preferred body temperature. During the night and in the early morning, P. barbouri has a dark colour. However, when it is basking, the body colour becomes brighter.^{[ citation needed ]}

Reproduction

Adult females of P. barbouri glue their eggs under stones. Since additional females may deposit their eggs at the same location, as many as 50 eggs may be found together. At a temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), the young will hatch after approximately 55 days. The neonates measure 32 mm (1.3 in).^{[ citation needed ]}

Care and maintenance in captivity

P. barbouri should be housed in pairs and needs a large terrarium which should provide many places to hide. Group breeding, however, is possible. The terrarium should be earth-based with a number of flat rocks present. It is important that there be some spot lights for basking. The daytime temperature should be around 29 °C (84 °F), while at night the temperature should drop to 20 °C (68 °F). In captivity, it can be fed crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms, and houseflies.^{[ citation needed ]}

Related Research Articles

Phelsuma is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus Phelsuma are commonly referred to as day geckos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar day gecko</span> Subspecies of lizard

The Madagascar day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives on the eastern coast of Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The Madagascar day gecko feeds on insects, fruit and nectar.

The blue-tailed day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the island Mauritius. It typically inhabits warm and humid places and dwells on different trees and bushes.

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Phelsuma breviceps is a diurnal species of gecko that is native to south-west Madagascar and typically dwells on trees and bushes. Its diet in the wild consists mainly of insects.

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Mauritius upland forest day gecko is a diurnal species of geckos.

The speckled day gecko is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives in eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The speckled day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

The yellow-headed day gecko, also commonly called Klemmer's day gecko, the neon day gecko, or the cheerful day gecko, is a small diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. This endangered species is endemic to northwestern Madagascar and inhabits coastal forests, dwelling on bamboo. The yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

The gold dust day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko. It lives in northern Madagascar, Tanzania and on the island of Comoros; it has also been introduced to Hawaii and other Pacific islands. It's typically seen in houses and various trees. The gold dust day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. It is commonly known as the mascot of GEICO Insurance, and also as the main character of the video game series Gex.

Phelsuma grandis is a diurnal arboreal species of day gecko. These geckos are part of the Phelsuma group, which consists of in excess of 70 species and subspecies. They are commonly referred to as the Madagascar giant day gecko, due to their large size. They are native to areas of tropical and subtropical forest in northern Madagascar, but have been introduced to several other subtropical locations outside their range. P. grandis feeds on various invertebrates, very small vertebrates, and nectars. It is bred and sold as an exotic pet.

Koch's giant day gecko is a diurnal subspecies of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The subspecies is native to northwestern and western Madagascar and typically inhabits trees. It feeds on insects and nectar.

The flat-tailed day gecko is a diurnal gecko lives in eastern Madagascar. It is endangered due to illegal collection for the international pet trade. It typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. The flat-tailed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Standing's day gecko is an arboreal and diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southwest Madagascar; it is threatened by illegal collection for the international pet trade and habitat loss. It is among the largest living species of day geckos. Standing's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Seipp's day gecko is an endangered diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to northern Madagascar, typically inhabits rainforests, dwells on trees, and feeds on insects and nectar.

Phelsuma pronki is a critically endangered diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to central Madagascar, and threatened by severe habitat loss and collection for the international pet trade. It typically inhabits rainforests, dwells on trees, and feeds on insects and nectar.

Phelsuma parkeri, commonly known as Parker's day gecko or the Pemba Island day gecko, is a diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Pemba Island, Tanzania, and typically inhabits banana trees and dwellings. The Pemba Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Phelsuma pusilla pusilla is a diurnal gecko and lives in eastern Madagascar. It typically inhabits different trees and houses. This day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Uroplatus ebenaui, commonly known as Ebenau's leaf-tailed gecko, the Nosy Be flat-tail gecko, and the spearpoint leaf-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Madagascar.

Phelsuma kely is a species of diurnal gecko. It is endemic to Madagascar and is known from the central east coast of Madagascar, south of Tamatave. It typically inhabits dragon trees. The gecko feeds on insects and probably nectar.

References

1 2 3 Raxworthy CJ (2011). "Phelsuma barbouri ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened species 2011: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172913A6940694.en. Downloaded on 30 May 2021.
↑ "Phelsuma barbouri ". ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). www.itis.gov.
↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Phelsuma barbouri, p. 16).
↑ Species Phelsuma barbouri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.