Indigenous Geckos of Madagascar - Phelsuma

The Phelsuma genus contains the day geckos. The name is a misnomer as they sometimes hunt at night, feeding on fruits, nectar, insects, invertebrates and sometimes small vertebrates. Most day geckos require a humidity between 50% and 85% to survive and a mean temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The typical coloration consists of an olive, chartreuse, or turquoise with red spots.

  • Phelsuma abbotti chekei

Phelsuma abbotti chekei grows to a maximum length of 6 inches. They live on the fringes of large forests, as well as mangrove forests, and seasonal dry forests. In an urbanized setting, they can live around residential sections.

  • Phelsuma antanosy

Phelsuma antanosy grow to approximately 4 inches. These critically endangered geckos only live in three small, coastal forests on the southeastern portion of Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma barbouri

Phelsuma is a highly terrestrial species of gecko that lives above the tree line in the Ankaratra and Andingitra mountains. This habitat’s temperature can range from below freezing to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Phelsuma berghofi

Phelsuma lives in a coastal forest habitat where the humidity can easily rise to 100%. They live on the Ravanela madagascariensis plant where they retreat into the hollow leaves when they feel threatened.

  • Phelsuma breviceps

Phelsuma breviceps survives in the dry deserts of southwestern Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma dubia

Phelsuma dubia grow to 6 inches in length and inhabit the west coast of Madagascar in a wide variety of ecosystems.

  • Phelsuma flavigularis

Phelsuma flavigularis lives in the Andisabe region at altitudes ranging from 900 and 1100 meters. The temperature in the region can vary from the upper 50’s to 70 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale with a humidity of approximately 95%.

  • Phelsuma guttata

The Speckled day gecko is an arboreal species of gecko that lives in the rainforests of Madagascar. They reach a length of approximately 5 inches.

  • Phelsuma hielscheri
  • Phelsuma kely

Phelsuma kely is an arboreal gecko that reaches a length of approximately 2.7 inches.

  • Phelsuma klemmeri

Phelsuma klemmeri inhabit the bamboo forests of northwestern Madagascar and reach a length of approximately 3.5 inches.

  • Phelsuma laticauda angularis

Phelsuma laticauda angularis is an arboreal gecko species that inhabits northwestern Madagascar in the Antsohihi region.

  • Phelsuma laticauda laticauda

An arboreal species of gecko that typically lives on banana trees, palms, and bamboo at the northern portion of Madagascar. They can grow to approximately 5 inches in length.

  • Phelsuma lineata bombetokensis

Phelsuma lineata bombetokensis grows to approximately 4 inches in length. This subspecies inhabits newly planted vegetation such as palms in northern Madagascar due to complete destruction of its habitat.

  • Phelsuma lineata dorsivittata

Phelsuma lineata dorsivittata grows to approximately 5 inches in length. This subspecies lives in northern Madagascar on broadleaf trees and on homes.

  • Phelsuma lineata elanthana

Phelsuma lineata elanthana inhabits the central-eastern portion of Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma lineata lineata

Phelsuma lineata lineata inhabits the east coast of Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma lineata
  • Phelsuma lineata punctulata

Phelsuma lineata punctulata inhabit the mountain ecosystems in northern Madagascar. They can grow to a length of approximately 5 inches (12 cm).

  • Phelsuma madagascariensis boehmei

This arboreal species inhabits the rainforests of Eastern Madagascar. This species can grow to about 8.5 inches in length.

  • Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis

The Madagascar giant day gecko is an arboreal species that lives primarily on trees in high humidity environments. This species grows to approximately 11 inches in length.

  • Phelsuma madagascariensis kochi

Koch's giant day gecko is an arboreal species of northwest and western Madagascar. This species can comfortably live in a dry climate where the temperature can reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Phelsuma madagascariensis madagascariensis

The Madagascar day gecko is an arboreal species that is endemic to the rainforests of East Madagascar. This species can grow to about 8.5 inches in length.

  • Phelsuma malamakibo

Phelsuma malamakibo is a terrestrial species that inhabits the evergreen rainforests, montane grassland, and heathland of southern Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma masohoala

Phelsuma masohoala inhabits eastern and northeastern Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma modesta

Phelsuma modesta inhabit southern and western Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma mutabilis

Phelsuma mutabilis inhabit southern and eastern Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma pronki

Phelsuma pronki is an arboreal species of gecko that inhabits the rainforests of central Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni

Phelsuma pusilla hallmanni is an arboreal species that inhabits eastern Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma pusilla pusilla

Phelsuma pusilla pusilla is an arboreal gecko that inhabits eastern Madagascar. It grows to approximately 3 inches.

  • Phelsuma quadriocellata bimaculata

Phelsuma quadriocellata bimaculata is an arboreal species of gecko that inhabits eastern Madagascar and grows to 4.5 inches.

  • Phelsuma quadriocellata lepida

Phelsuma quadriocellata lepida is a species of gecko that lives in the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar up to a maximum elevation of 1200 meters.

  • Phelsuma quadriocellata parva

Phelsuma quadriocellata parva is an arboreal species of gecko that inhabits the northeastern region of Madagascar. They can grow to a length of 3.5 inches and commonly live in coconut palms, banana plants, and residential areas.

  • Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata

The Four Spot Day Gecko inhabits the inland rainforests along the eastern side of Madagascar.

  • Phelsuma seippi

Seipp's day gecko is an arboreal species that inhabits the rainforests of north Madagascar. It has the peculiar habit for a reptile of avoiding sunlight.

  • Phelsuma serraticauda

The Flat-tailed day gecko is an arboreal species that inhabits the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. The males can grow to a maximum length of 6 inches.

  • Phelsuma standingi

Phelsuma standingi is an arboreal species that inhabits the dry thorn forests of southwestern Madagascar. They can grow to a maximum length of 1 foot; however, individuals ranging between 8 and 10.5 inches are more common.

  • Phelsuma vanheygeni

Phelsuma vanheygeni only inhabits the bamboo forest on the Ampasindava peninsula of Madagascar and often rests on the stalks of the bamboo. This species grows to approximately 3 inches in length.

Read more about this topic:  Indigenous Geckos Of Madagascar