my-server
← Wiki

Robert Mertens's day gecko

Robert Mertens's day gecko (Phelsuma robertmertensi) is diurnal species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to the Comoros.

Etymology

The specific name, robertmertensi, is in honour of German herpetologist Robert Mertens.

Description

One of the smallest species of its genus, Phelsuma robertmertensi can reach a total length (tail included) of about . The body colour can be dark green or bluish green. An orange mid dorsal stripe extends from the head to the tail. The sides of the neck as well as the flanks are greyish brown.

Geographic range

Phelsuma robertmertensi inhabits only a small area on the island of Mayotte in the Comoro Islands.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of Phelsuma robertmertensi is forest, but it is also often found on banana trees and in abandoned vanilla orchid plantations.

Diet

Phelsuma robertmertensi feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also licks soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Reproduction

Phelsuma robertmertensi is oviparous. At a temperature of , the young will hatch after approximately 49–53 days. The juveniles measure .

Care and maintenance in captivity

Phelsuma robertmertensi should be housed in pairs and needs a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be . The humidity should be 75–100%. In captivity, it can be fed crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References

Further reading

  • , (1995). Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Stuttgart: Ulmer. . (in German).
  • McKeown S (1993). The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems. 143 pp. .
  • Meier H (1980). "Zur Taxonomie und Ökologie der Gattung Phelsuma (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) auf den Komoren, mit Beschreibung einer neuen Art ". Bonner Zoologische Beiträge 31 (3/4): 323–332. (Phelsuma robertmertensi, new species, pp. 327–330, Figure 1). (in German).