This diurnal gecko lives in eastern Madagascar. It typically inhabits different trees and houses. This day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.
Description:
This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 8 cm. The body colour is lime green. On the back there are red dots present. The tail has a blue hue. The flanks are brown or black. The tail can be turqoise. The ventral side is white.
Distribution:
This subspecies inhabits the east coast of Madagascar. It was first found in the region around Abila Lemaitso near Brickaville. Phelsuma pusilla pusilla' also occurs on the island Nosy Bohara.
Habitat:
Phelsuma pusilla pusilla lives in a moist and warm climate. It inhabits different small trees and also occurs on banana trees. This Phelsuma species is often found near human dwellings.
Diet:
These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.
Behaviour:
These geckos are quite quarrelsome and do not accept other males. In captivity, where the females cannot escape, the males can also sometimes seriously wound a female. In this case the male and female must be separated.
Reproduction:
Care and maintenance in captivity:
These animals should be housed in pairs and need a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28°C (locally around 30°C) during the day and drop to around 20°C at night. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 80% during the day. It is also important to include two colder months with a daytime temperature of 24°C and 16°C at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.
References:
Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3800173239
McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.
