''Phelsuma astriata semicarinata'' is a

subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

Seychelles day gecko ''Phelsuma astriata'', the Seychelles (small) day gecko or stripeless day gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae endemic to the Seychelles. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical mois ...

. It is a small, slender

gecko Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards that have a wide distribution, found on every continent except Antarctica. Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, geckos are found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from . Geckos ar ...

, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is found on different islands of the

Seychelles Seychelles (, ; ), officially the Republic of Seychelles (french: link=no, République des Seychelles; Creole: ''La Repiblik Sesel''), is an archipelagic state consisting of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, V ...

, where it often lives near human dwellings.

Description

The body of this smallish

day gecko ''Phelsuma'' is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus ''Phelsuma'' are commonly referred to as day geckos. Some day geckos are seriously endangered and some are common, but all ''Phelsuma'' species are CITES App ...

is lime green with rost-coloured dots and bars on the back which are irregularly shaped. Those reddish dots form a thin mid-dorsdal stripe, which may be broken and may have some bars extending from it. There is a rust-coloured stripe between the nostril and the eye. On the head there is a rust-coloured, v-shaped marking with two transverse bars. Males often have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail and lower back. On both sides of the snout, a reddish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the eye. The undersurface of the body is white. These lizards reach a total length of about 12.5 cm.

Distribution

This gecko is endemic to the Seychelles island Praslin but it has also been introduced to

La Réunion LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figure ...

, where it had been recorded first in 2004.

Habitat

This species is typically found on coconut palms and banana trees. It often lives near human settlements.

Diet

These day geckos feed on insects, small spiders, fruit, nectar and pollen.

Reproduction

''Phelsuma astriata semicarinata'' normally lays two 10 mm large eggs. The eggs are not glued to leaves, as this species is among the "non-gluer" variety. Eggs should generally hatch in 70 – 75 days and should be incubated at approximately 25 degrees Celsius.Day Geckos in Captivity by Lean and Greg Christenson, Page 114 (2002)

Care and maintenance in captivity

''Phelsuma astriata semicarinata'' should be housen in pairs. They need a vertically oriented and well planted terrarium with vertically oriented and horizontally oriented bambus sticks as thick as a thumb.

Bibliography

*Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Ulmer Stuttgart. *McKeown, Sean (1993) ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7181285 Fauna of Seychelles Phelsuma