Phelsuma madagascariensis

Madagascar day gecko ( Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis ), male, adult, in the terrarium

• Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis - nominate
• Phelsuma madagascariensis ( madagascariensis ) boehmei

The Madagascar day gecko ( Phelsuma madagascariensis ) is within the genre of the day geckos ( Phelsuma ) of the major species.

With a total length up to 24 cm and a head -body length up to 12 cm Phelsuma madagascariensis subspecies is madagascariensis the larger of the two subspecies; P. m. boehmei reached a total length up to 23 cm and a head -body length up to 11 cm.

By 2007, included P. m. grandis (Grand Madagascar day gecko ) and P. m. kochi as subspecies, were then given species status.

Coloring

The basic color of this colorful Haftzehers (they can with their feet on slippery surfaces (eg glass) run ) is green, head and tail top can be dark green, sometimes also go towards Bluish Turquoise. Reddish-brown spots ( but mostly reddish - orange) of varying intensity and arrangement can occur on its top. She always ends at its tail. Often in the front half of a center back - frequently interrupted - red-brown stripes. A distinctive red-brown line extends from the nostril through the eye region to above the ear opening. Except for this Nasofrenalstreifens the red-brown drawing may also be missing. The Madagascar day gecko can be darkened rapidly at unease, which complicates the determination: One then thinks sometimes, to have animals of a different kind going on. This type is the fastest color changer in the madagascariensis group. However Employed dark color is a symptom of chronic stress, suppression by other animals or disease.

The underside is a light cream to light green, sometimes streaked throat, the cloacal region ( Präanoemoralporen ) in the male yellow. The tail underside of the males can be light blue.

The intermediate scales skin is light yellow -orange, what subsp for distinguishing Phelsuma madagascariensis to. boehmei plays a major role ( exception: the Madagascar day geckos of the subspecies on the island of Nosy Boraha madagascariensis, which also have intermediate dark scaly skin ). Unlike Phelsuma madagascariensis subsp. kochi are not speckled the leg tops at the subspecies madagascarienses.

The pups have a very different coloration and patterning. On yellow to olive-green ground color reddish brown lines and spots as well as white and dark brown dots are irregularly distributed, the edges can be reddish - orange, the underside is yellow, the tail underside orange, sometimes medium blue. After one year, the youth coloring transforms into the adult animals.

These geckos can, like everyone else, throw off its tail with danger, this still trembling, so that the attacker is confused, and the gecko can run away.

Classification

Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis is the nominate formerly consisting of four subspecies species. The subspecies P. m. grandis (Grand Madagascar day gecko ) and P. m. kochi received 2007 species status, so P. madagascariensis madagascariensis madagascariensis and P. boehmei currently representing the two subspecies of the species.

Occurrence and habitat

The name of Madagascar day gecko is derived from its occurrence in Madagascar. The Terra typica designata ( Mertens, 1970) is Tamatave / Toamasina in eastern Madagascar. On the east coast of Madagascar - on the satellite image characteristically green - he lives as cultural guides. It is found in primary and secondary forests, but even more to hut walls, on roofs, in banana plantations. The mean annual temperature is 27.5 ° C there, the lowest temperature value is 11 ° C, the highest is 36 ° C. The annual precipitation amounts to 3530 mm there, the humidity is on average 82.5%.

Threat

Like all day geckos and other animals and plants of Madagascar, the Madagascar day gecko by the destruction of the habitat ( primary forests, secondary forests, building enormous hotel complexes ), threatened by the associated use of insecticides and by catch and export. In the IUCN he has not yet classified as endangered.

Terrarium

Consequently, preferred breeding animals in captivity. A more or less dense planting of broad-leaved plants ( Sansevieria ), lots of climbing opportunities (bamboo, yucca, high terrarium ), lots of light, air and space, high humidity without stuffiness in this type that can be easily keep and breed and very trusting can be announced. In the long run is possible because of intraspecific aggression and außerartlichen only a pairwise posture. Too much mashed bananas and other nutritious sugary foods, the animals tend to be faster obesity, which should be avoided. With optimal posture, the animals can be up to 20 years in captivity. The slight culturability makes imports superfluous.