Madagascar Giant Day Gecko

Description:

This lizard reaches a total length of 30 centimetres (12 in).The body colour is bright green or, rarely, bluish green. A red stripe extends from the nostril to the eye. On the back there are red coloured dots or bars. These red markings are quite variable, and in some cases, completely absent, though the line extending from the nostril to the eye is always present. Some specimens may have small blue spots. Adult specimens may have large sacs on their necks. These are stored calcium sacks. Young individuals of the species often exhibit much more red than their parents, but as time passes, many of the markings fade, to leave those that will remain until the gecko dies. The underside of these animals is a creamy white ranging to an eggy yellow. A stressed animal is more likely to have darker colouration, making it appear as though there are orange parts to the red colouration, and the green appears far darker.

Habitat:

Phelsuma grandis is often found on different trees where it can be seen basking. They also inhabit human dwellings due to the number of appropriate basking spots, and the level of insect activity which these dwellings attract. The climate is rather dry, though heavy rainfalls are quite common. This means that there is a constant level of high humidity throughout the year. When in captivity phelsuma grandis enjoy bamboo. Most live on the eastern coast of Madagascar.

Notes:

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates, and occasionally have been recorded consuming small vertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar. Geckos in the wild and in captivity have been observed consuming their own young.