Phelsuma abbotti pulchra Rendahl, 1939 is a subspecies

Subspecies

Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...

 of gecko

Gecko

Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....

s. It typically lives near human settlements on Cousine Island

Cousine Island

Cousine Island is a small granitic island in the Seychelles 6 km west of Praslin Island. It is a combination luxury resort and since 1992 a nature preserve....

. Phelsuma abbotti pulchra feeds on insects and nectar.

Scientific synonyms

• Phelsuma abbotti pulchra - Hoesch, 1982
• Phelsuma longinsulae pulchra Rendahl, 1939

Description

This lizard belongs to the middle sized day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 15 cm. The body colour is grass green or olive green. A rost-coloured stripe extends from the nostril to behind the eye. On the back there are brownish or red-brick coloured dots which typically form three line along the back.

Habitat

Phelsuma abbotti pulchra typically lives near human settlements. They preferably inhabit mango and banana trees. Often, many individuals can be found on one tree. This day gecko share their habitat with Phelsuma astriata astriata.

Diet

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen

Pollen

Pollen is a fine to coarse powder containing the microgametophytes of seed plants, which produce the male gametes . Pollen grains have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants or from the male cone to the...

and nectar.

Behaviour

These Phelsumas often live in small groups with one male and several females per tree. Young males may also be tolerated.

Reproduction

The pairing season is between November and the first weeks of April. During this period, the females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 55 days. The juveniles measure 55–60 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals are quite active and therefore should be housed in pairs and need a large, well planted terrarium. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth, fruits flies, mealworms and houseflies.