Round Island day gecko: Difference between revisions
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*Wheler, C. L., and J. E. Fa. 1995. Enclosure Utilization and Activity of Round Island Geckos (''Phelsuma guentheri''). Zoo Biology 14:361-369. |
*Wheler, C. L., and J. E. Fa. 1995. Enclosure Utilization and Activity of Round Island Geckos (''Phelsuma guentheri''). Zoo Biology 14:361-369. |
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* Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9 |
* Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9 |
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* McKeown, Sean (1993) ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA. |
* McKeown, Sean (1993) ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA. I smell like a globe! |
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Revision as of 17:25, 17 January 2013
| Round Island day gecko | |
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| Species: | P. guentheri
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| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma guentheri Boulenger, 1885
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The Round Island day gecko, Phelsuma guentheri, also known as Gunther's Gecko, is a species of gecko. It lives on the islet Round Island (Mauritius), and typically dwells on different palm trees. The Round Island day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Description
This lizard belongs to the largest living day geckos. Males can reach a total length of about 30 centimeters (12 in), but often are much smaller. Females of this species are generally smaller than males. The body colour grayish or brown grayish. A dark brown stripe extends from the nostril to above the ear opening. On the back dark spots may be present. In some individuals, the legs and toes have light yellow bars. The ventral side is white or yellowish.
Distribution
This species originally occurred on Mauritius before rats and cats were introduced. Nowadays, P. guentheri inhabits only Round Island, 22 kilometers (14 mi) north-northeast of Mauritius.
Habitat
P. guentheri is often found on palms like bottle palms, fan palms (Latania loddigesii) and pandanus. Since much of the original vegetation is destroyed, also by tropical cylones, P. guentheri is forced to live on rocky crevices.
Diet
These days geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Reproduction
The females lay up to 4 pairs of eggs. The young will hatch after approximately 58–104 days. The juveniles measure 75 millimeters (3.0 in). The eggs are laid normally in June, but they are laid all the way from February–September.
Care and maintenance in captivity
These animals are endangered and are only bred by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at Durrell Wildlife Park.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Listed as Endangered (EN D v2.3)
- Carpenter, A. I., I. M. Côte, and C. G. Jones. 2003. Habitat use, egg laying sites and activity patterns of an endangered Mauritian gecko (Phelsuma guentheri). Herpetological Journal 13:155-157.
- Wheler, C. L., and J. E. Fa. 1995. Enclosure Utilization and Activity of Round Island Geckos (Phelsuma guentheri). Zoo Biology 14:361-369.
- 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. I smell like a globe!