Anjouan Island day gecko
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (May 2015) |
| Anjouan Island day gecko | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | P. v. anjouanensis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Phelsuma v-nigra anjouanensis Meier, 1986
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The Anjouan Island day gecko (Phelsuma v-nigra anjouanensis) is a small diurnal subspecies of gecko. It lives in the Comoros and typically inhabits trees and bushes. The Anjouan Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Description
[edit]This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum length of approximately 11 centimetres (4.3 in). The body colour is bright green. There is a red v-shaped stripe on the snout and a red barring between the eyes. On the back there are a number of tiny red-brick coloured spots and reticulations. On the throat, there is a faint v-shaped marking. The ventral side is greyish.
Distribution
[edit]This subspecies only inhabits the island Anjouan in the Comoros.
Habitat
[edit]Phelsuma v-nigra anjouanensis is found on agave bushes, banana trees, palms, human dwellings and even on the ground.
Diet
[edit]These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Care and maintenance in captivity
[edit]These animals should be housed in pairs and need a medium-sized, well planted terrarium. The daytime temperature should be between 28 and 30 °C (82 and 86 °F) and 24 and 26 °C (75 and 79 °F) at night. The humidity should be not too high. A two-month winter cooldown should be included during which temperature is 25 °C (77 °F) at daytime and 20 °C (68 °F) at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.
References
[edit]- Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, 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.