Seychelles Giant Day Gecko

Scientific Name: Phelsuma sundbergi sundbergi

Natural History:

Distributed in Praslin, Curieuse, and several other smaller islands in the northeast granitic Seychelles. Lives on the huge coco-de-mer palms (Lodoicea maldivica), of the islands of Parslin and Curieuse. These lizards aid in the pollination of these palms by transferring pollen between male and female trees while feeding. Also, commonly found on coconut palms and other large trees, including sea grape, and occasionally on human dwellings. With this taxon, habitat choice is opportunistic and the size of the trees appears more important than the specific species of tree.

Biology:

Adult males may reach a maximum snout-vent length of 3.7 inches and a maximum total length of close to 10 inches. Large adult females are only slightly smaller. A large, bright green lizard sometimes with tiny rust-colored reticulated markings on the body and tail. A faint, rust colored stripe is present on the side of the head from nostril to eye. Some barring is also present on the tip of the snout. This may be the most difficult day gecko to sex correctly because males and females are similar in size and general appearance. Females also have slightly enlarged femoral pores. They can, however, be reliably sexed when in peak activity colors, as the femoral region is reddish brown in males. In the wild, a major part of the diet is pollen obtained from palm inflorescences. there is considerable resource partitioning between this species and Phelsuma astriata, which shares its general habitat. The considerably smaller P. astriata is eaten or aggressively pursued if it attempts to reside on larger trees inhabited by the former. Additionally, to minimize intraspecies aggression, juvenile P. sundbergi typically reside on the outer branches and fronds of large trees. Females are colony nesters, sometimes utilizing holes in the trunks of palms to lay their eggs.

Care:

The vivarium should be planted with sturdy species, such as snake plant, which these lizards will readily use as resting, basking, and egg-laying sites. Horizontal bamboo stalks at least 2 inches in diameter, and partially hollow at the top, are useful for the female to retreat into when laying eggs. These are excellent display animals that can be housed singly.

Breeding:

The eggs typically take 56-71 days to hatch when incubated at 82-84 F plus or minus 2 F. Neonates are greyish green with a rust brown, irregular-shaped marking on top of the head and many small white dots are present on the body, legs, and upper surface of the feet. Neonates also have thin rows of small white spots along the dorsal surface of the tail. As is typical with most day gecko species, the other layer of skin is shed and eaten within a short period of time after the lizard hatches.