Robert Mertens's day gecko | |
---|---|
A juvenile Phelsuma robertmertensi | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Family: | Gekkonidae |
Genus: | Phelsuma |
Species: | P. robertmertensi |
Binomial name | |
Phelsuma robertmertensi Meier, 1980 | |
Robert Mertens's day gecko (Phelsuma robertmertensi) is diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Comoros.
The specific name, robertmertensi, is in honour of German herpetologist Robert Mertens. [2] [3]
One of the smallest of its genus, P. robertmertensi can reach a total length (including tail) of about 11 centimetres (4.3 in). [3] The body colour can be dark green or bluish green. An orange mid dorsal stripe extends from the head to the tail. The sides of the neck as well as the flanks are greyish brown.
P. robertmertensi inhabits only a small area on the island of Mayotte in the Comoro Islands. [3]
P. robertmertensi is often found on banana trees and in abandoned vanilla orchid plantations.
P. robertmertensi feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also licks soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
P. robertmertensi is oviparous. [3] At a temperature of 28 °C (82 °F), the young will hatch after approximately 49–53 days. The juveniles measure 19–22 millimetres (0.75–0.87 in).
P. robertmertensi should be housed in pairs and needs a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25–28 °C (77–82 °F). The humidity should be between 75 and 100%. In captivity, it can be fed crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.
Phelsuma is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus Phelsuma are commonly referred to as day geckos.
Barbour's day gecko 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.
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.
Phelsuma dubia, also known as dull day gecko, olive day gecko, Zanzibar day gecko or green day gecko, is a diurnal species of gecko. It is about 15 centimetres (5.9 in) in length and lives on the western coast of Madagascar, in the Comoros, and the coast of East Africa. It typically inhabits trees and can also be found near human dwellings. The Dull day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko, also known commonly as the orange-spotted day gecko, is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to the western coast of Mauritius and typically inhabits large trees. The Mauritius lowland forest day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
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.
Boehme's giant day gecko is a diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. Boehme's giant 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.
Pasteur's day gecko is a small diurnal subspecies of gecko. It lives in the Comoros and typically inhabits trees and bushes. Pasteur's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Phelsuma v-nigra v-nigraBoettger, 1913 is a small diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives in the Comoros and typically inhabits trees and bushes. Phelsuma v-nigra v-nigra feeds on insects and nectar.
Seychelles giant day gecko is diurnal subspecies of geckos. It lives on the island Praslin in the Seychelles and typically inhabits trees and dwellings. The Seychelles giant day gecko 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.
Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni is a diurnal subspecies of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The subspecies is endemic to eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits different trees. This day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
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