Andaman day gecko
| Andaman 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: | P. andamanensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma andamanensis Blyth, 1861
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| Synonyms | |
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The Andaman Islands day gecko (Phelsuma andamanensis) is a species of gecko. It is found only on the Andaman and the Nicobar islands of India.[1][2] It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. Its range is nearly 5000 km away from the centre of the distribution area of the genus Phelsuma, in Mauritius and Madagascar.[3]
Description
The body of this day gecko is bright green with red dots and stripes on the back. Males have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail. On both sides of the snout, a reddish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the ear. The undersurface of the body is bright yellow or off-white.
Habitat
Phelsuma andamanensis inhabits lowlands where is typically found in domestic gardens on coconut palms, screw pines, banana trees and on sisal plants.[3] It also sometimes lives on local huts.
Behaviour
These shy day geckos are extremely aggressive toward other members of its species.
Reproduction
Phelsuma andamanensis normally lays two eggs in a protected and elevated location. The females can be extraordinarily fertile. It has been observed that during a period of 18 months, 14 pairs of eggs were laid.
References
- ^ a b Richman, N. & Böhm, M. (2010). "Phelsuma andamanense". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. IUCN: e.T177829A7465896. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T177829A7465896.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
- ^ Phelsuma andamanensis at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 11 January 2020.
- ^ a b Phelsuma.org
- Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagascars, 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.