Yellow-headed day gecko

Yellow-headed day gecko
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Phelsuma
Species:	P. klemmeri
Binomial name
	Phelsuma klemmeri; Seipp, 1991

Last updated September 23, 2024

The yellow-headed day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri), also commonly called the cheerful day gecko, Klemmer's day gecko,^[2] and the neon 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 (both dry and humid), dwelling on bamboo.^[1] The yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Etymology

The specific name, klemmeri, is in honor of German herpetologist Konrad Klemmer.^[2]

Description

P. klemmeri is small, reaching a total length (including tail) of 3.25–3.75 in (8.3–9.5 cm). The body colour of this slender and long-snouted gecko is turquoise blue at the upper and mid-back. The lower back is light brown. Most of the tail is turquoise blue. Remarkable is the laterally flattened body. Another typical characteristic is the yellow head. A dark black spot is present behind the eye, followed by a black stripe which extends to the rear extremities. The legs and toes are brown speckled. The ventral side is grayish white. The sexes can easily be distinguished by the orange color around the femoral pores of the males.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geographic range

P. klemmeri inhabits northwest Madagascar, along the coast. It is only known from the Ampasindava Peninsula (at Antsatsaka) and near Mandrozo Lake.^[1]

Habitat

P. klemmeri typically lives in bamboo forest, at altitudes up to 400 m (1,300 ft).^[1] It sometimes shares its habitat with P. seippi and P. madagascarienis grandis .^{[ citation needed ]}P. klemmeri is most commonly found on yellow bamboo canes,^[1] but may be found on green bamboo or other nearby foliage.^{[ citation needed ]} When threatened, P. klemmeri will hide inside narrow cracks in the bamboo.^[1]

Diet

P. klemmeri feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also likes to lick soft sweet fruit, pollen, and nectar.^{[ citation needed ]}

Behaviour

P. klemmeri is primarily active during the cooler part of the day (diurnal)^[1] and likes to bask.^{[ citation needed ]} It often lives in small groups.^{[ citation needed ]}

Reproduction

P. klemmeri is oviparous.^[3] The female lays a pair of eggs and hides them in bamboo canes. At a temperature of 27 °C (80.6 °F), the young will hatch after approximately 39–52 days. Each juvenile measures 22–29 mm (0.87–1.14 in).^{[ citation needed ]}

Captivity

The species P. klemmeri is bred extensively in captivity, and the IUCN thinks it unlikely that it is still wild-caught.^[1]

When well cared-for, this species may live for up to 15 years.^{[ 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">Cheke's day gecko</span> Subspecies of lizard

Cheke's day gecko is a subspecies of day gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae.

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.

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 Guimbeau's day gecko and 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.

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.

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.

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

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 pronki, also known as Pronk's day gecko, 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 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.

Lygodactylus is a genus of diurnal geckos with 82 species. They are commonly referred to as dwarf geckos. They are mainly found in Africa and Madagascar although two species are found in South America. Lygodactylus picturatus, the best known species, is found in Kenya and commonly known as the white-headed dwarf gecko. Recently, illegal importation from Tanzania of brightly colored, Lygodactylus williamsi, known as electric blue geckos, has been gaining attention for Lygodactylus geckos in the reptile trade.

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.

Phelsuma hielscheri is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

The Malagasy dwarf gecko, also known commonly as Klemmer's dwarf gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Phelsuma roesleri, also known commonly as Rösler's day gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Phelsuma hoeschi is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Atsinanana Region of Madagascar.

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Raxworthy, C.J.; Ratsoavina, F.; Glaw, F.; Rabibisoa, N.; Rakotondrazafy, N.A.; Bora, P. (2011). "Phelsuma klemmeri ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T172981A6952389. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172981A6952389.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
1 2 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 klemmeri, p. 143).
↑ Species Phelsuma klemmeri at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.