Phelsuma breviceps is a diurnal

Diurnal animal

Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...

 species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 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....

. It is native to south-east Madagascar

Madagascar

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...

 and typically dwells on trees and bushes

Shrub

A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...

. Its diet in the wild consists mainly of insect

Insect

Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...

s.

Description

This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum total length of about 10 cm. This species is easily recognised by its short snout, after which it has been named. The basic body colour is light grey to brownish. On the back there are light blue and dark dots and stripes. The legs have light blue spots.

Distribution

This species inhabits southeast Madagascar. It is found in the area around Toliara

Toliara

-References:...

 and near the Tsimanampetsotsa-lake.

Habitat

P. breviceps is adapted to a dry climate. It is often found on the succulent spurge Euphorbia stenoclada

Euphorbia stenoclada

Euphorbia stenoclada is a species of plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss....

which has 7 cm long thorns.

Diet

These day geckos feed on various insects, other invertebrates and nectar, both in the wild and in captivity.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a dry terrarium. These animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth, fruits flies, mealworms, houseflies and fruit baby food.