Geckos
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Sub-order:Sauria
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: andamanense
Binomial name
Phelsuma andamanense

Table of contents
1 Scientific name:
2 Scientific synonyms:
3 Common name:
4 General introduction:
5 Description:
6 Distribution:
7 Habitat:
8 Diet:
9 Behaviour:
10 Reproduction:
11 Care and maintenance in captivity:
12 References:

Scientific name:

Phelsuma andamanense BLYTH 1861

Scientific synonyms:

Gecko chameleon TYTLER 1864
Phelsuma madagascariensis- LOVERIDGE 1942: 467
Phelsuma andamanensis MERTENS 1962
Phelsuma andamanensis BÖRNER 1984
Phelsuma andamanensis KLUGE 1993
Phelsuma andamanensis RÖSLER 2000: 101

Common name:

Andaman Islands day gecko

General introduction:

The Andaman Islands day gecko is a small, slender lizard. It has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is only found on the Andaman Islands.

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 redish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the ear. The undersurface of the body is bright yellow or off-white.

Distribution:

The animals are endemic to the Andaman Islands where they have a wide distribution.

Habitat:

This species inhabits lowland where is typically found in domestic gardens with coconut palms and banana trees. It also sometimes lives on local huts.

Diet:

Insects, fruit

Behaviour:

These shy day geckos are extremely aggressive toward other members of its species.

Reproduction:

Phelsuma andamanense 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.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

  • Diseases

References:

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.