Mauritius Ornate Day Gecko

Scientific Name: Phelsuma ornate ornata

Natural History:

Distribution on the Island of Mauritius, an area of about 969 sq miles, and outlying islets, including Round Island. Habitat is drier areas of Mauritius at low- and mid-elevation, and on a number of offshore islets. utilizes a variety of trees and bushes, and may occasionally be found living on large rocks where the vegetation has been destroyed.

Biology:

Total length of 4-5 inches. Not as sexually dimorphic in size and color as other Mauritius Phelsuma. However, males are easily differentiated by their well-developed pre-anal pores. One of the most beautiful of all day geckos. A small-size, extremely colorful species. When in peak coloration, the head is bright red, a blue-green bar is present on the snout and another above each eye. The back of the head and neck are brown, bordered by white neck stripes. the body is bright blue, with rows of deep red spots. the tail is turquoise blue, with reddish or rust-colored bars. the legs and lower flanks are greyish. The ventral surface is off-white. In the wild feeds on nectar from flowers, pollen from palms, and insects. Eggs are laid in individual clutches in leaf joints, or communally, under protected rocky surfaces or tree bark.

Care:

Prefers daytime temperatures of 82-89 F with a 10-12 F temperature drop at night. In addition to full-spectrum lighting, include a 50-75 watt sunspot lamp. Enclosure should have live plants plus vertical bamboo shoots for egg-laying. As with all day geckos, good air flow is important. Provide water through misting. Mist on a daily basis. Adults feed on first stage crickets, wax moth larvae, and flies. Dust the insect food with a vitamin/mineral powder and calcium carbonate. Females, as with other species of day geckos, store excess calcium for their eggs in chalk sacs at the side of their neck.

Breeding:

In this species and several others, the females are ready to breed right after egg laying. Pairs should not be separated. Females lay one or, more often, two eggs, in a protected spot, such as a bamboo strip. As with other day geckos, immediately after laying, the eggs are held with the hind feet until their shells harden. Like most other Madagascar species, they are not "egg gluers." Eggs are laid in a protected location, such as at a plant leaf joint or inside a section of bamboo. Interestingly, with this species, if the eggs are not laid in a protected location, they are almost always infertile, and in such circumstances, may be eaten by the female. Eggs may be incubated at 82 F with height humidity. They will take 40-45 days to hatch at this temperature. The neonates are about 1.6 inches in length. The young can be raised singly or in pairs, in a small, planted vivarium. If a good nutritional balance is maintained, the lizards will be ready to breed within nine to twelve months. This species breeds well in captivity. Feed this species a diet of first stage crickets, wax moths, larvae and adults, flies, and fruit supplement. Feed three times a week during most of the year, and twice a week during a standard two month 70-78 F winter cool down.