Réunion Island day gecko

Phelsuma borbonica

Phelsuma borbonica, (French Gecko vert des Hauts ( German: Green Mountain Gecko ) ) called, is a small lizard of the family of geckos ( Geckonidae ).

Features

The body top is turquoise colored to grass green and has a bright stripe on the back. There are at the center back and tail top irregular red spots visible, which form part of horizontal stripes. The flanks are dark green in color and also mottled red and the body underside is greenish gray. The species reaches a length of 12-17 cm.

Dissemination

The species is widespread in the western Indian Ocean. Phelsuma borbonica borbonica is endemic to the island of Réunion. It occurs exclusively in the high altitudes of the communities of the North East of the island between St. Denis and Ste.Rose. Phelsuma borbonica mater lives in a few places on the southern tip of the island of Réunion. Phelsuma borbonica agalegae occurs on Agalega. On Réunion forest areas are populated at altitudes above 150 meters above sea level. Some sources speak in the way of total also an endemic distribution on Réunion.

Way of life

Phelsuma borbonica feeds on insects ( moths, termites, flies ), as well as pollen, nectar and ripe fruit. The type performs a climbing on trees of life. Both males and females are territorial. Phelsuma borbonica borbonica is very nervous and take a fast getaway if it is disturbed.

Reproduction

The propagation takes place in spring and summer. Eggs are laid in pairs under rocks or bark. A female lays up to four eggs pairs. The incubation period of eggs is between two and three months at 26 ° C.

Subspecies

The Reptile Database distinguishes between the following three types:

• Phelsuma borbonica borbonica ( Mertens, 1942) ( nominate )
• Phelsuma borbonica agalegae ( Cheke, 1975)
• Phelsuma borbonica mater ( Meier, 1995)

Protection status

All subspecies of Phelsuma borbonica are listed in the CITES II list since February 4, 1977.