Decorated diurnal Gecko of Mauritius

The diurnal gecko decorated of Mauritius ( Phelsuma ornata ) is an endemic species of gecko of the Mascareignes, in the Indian Ocean.

It is a Espèce of green color, with many points and red broken lines. The color changes on the head which is chestnut-gray with two longitudinal clear bands, and the green-bluish spots on the front.

This species is classified in appendix II of convention QUOTE, and moreover is more completely protected in France like all the local wildlife.

Geographical distribution

These geckos lives in the trees and coppice of the island Maurice and the neighbouring islands, and sometimes on the rocks when the vegetation is rarer.

Subspecies

No known Subspecies to date.

Climatic parameters

During the day the temperature reached 28°C and falls in the neighborhoods of 20°C the nuit.
The Hygrométrie is close to 60% the day and goes up to more than 80% the night.

Breeding in captivity

This species is regarded as difficult to raise in captivity. It is thus disadvised to the beginners.

One needs a Terrarium 50x50x60cm (width/depth/height) of tropical type wet to raise a couple. A contribution in UV (ultraviolet) (Neon for example) is essential for this species diurne.
There must be very many air hiding-places in terrarium, at the same time in zones relatively fraiches and hot zones (under a heating spot for example).

Food

This species is Insectivore and consumes the majority of the preys of adapted size. It also consumes fruit nectars, of which it lêche pulp.

Behavior

Maturity

Sexage

Reproduction

Layings

Incubation

The eggs incubate during forty days with 28°C.

The small ones

The small ones make 3,5 cm with the birth.

Diseases

Like all the diurnal geckos, a deficiency in UV involves problems of synthesis of the Vitamine D3, leading to problems of fixing of the Calcium.

Moreover like the majority of the species living in moist environment, a prolonged fall of the Hygrométrie involves problems of driven, and more generally of the problems of skin.

Philately

This species is represented on a stamp of Maurice of 1989 (10 C.).

See too

endemic Fauna of Mascareignes.

Photos :

Gekkota.com

Sheets of soin :

Références :

Rösler, Herbert 2001 Zur Rumpfbeschuppung der Gattung Phelsuma GRAY 1825: zoogeographische Aspekte (Sauria: Gekkonedae). Gekkota 3:47 - 73
Oostveen, H. 1980 Phelsuma' S: steeds kleine wonderen. Lacerta 38 (10-11): 98-101
Mertens, R. 1966 Die nichtmadagassichen Arten und Unterarten der Geckonengattung Phelsuma. Senckenbergiana Biologica 47:85 - 110
Mertens, R. 1963 Studien über die Reptilienfauna Madagaskars. IV. Zwei neue Arten der Geckonengattung Phelsuma. Senck. Biol. 44:349 - 356
Lipp, H. 2000 Phelsuma ornata (GRAY). Sauria 23 (3), Suppl.: 541-544
Krause, Peter 1997 Der Ornament-Taggecko: Schmuckstücke im Terrarium - Phelsuma ornata TI Magazin (133): 38-41
Heselhaus, Ralf 1994 Taggeckos. Ulmer-Verlag, Stuttgart, 92 pp.
Heselhaus, R. 1980 Phelsumen im Terrarium. Herpetofauna 2 (4): 9-10
Gray, J.E. 1825 have synopsis off the generated off reptiles and Amphibia, with has description off nap new species. Annals off Philosophy, 10:193 - 217
Fölling, Mr. 1996 Bemerkungen zur Terrarienhaltung von Phelsuma ornata ornata in Gruppen. Elaphe 4 (1): 9-13
Bour, R., J. Mr. Probst & S. Ribes 1995 Phelsuma inexpectata Mertens, 1966, the green lizard of Manampany-the-Baths (the Meeting): chorologic and ecological data (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). Dumerilia 2:99 - 124
Berghof, H. - P. 2005 Taggeckos. Natur und Tier Verlag, Münster, 144 pp.
Atlas of the terrariophile Vol.3: the lizards . Animalia Editions, 2003. ISBN 2-9517895-2-1
Philippe Gerard, the breeding of the diurnal geckos and Uroplatus . Philippe Gerard editions, 1998. EAN 97822912521125 . ISBN 2-912521-12-2

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