Seychelles Small Day Gecko

Scientific Name: Phelsuma astriata

Natural History:

Occurs on the southwestern granitic islands of the Seychelles, including the large island of Mahe. Common in some areas on coconut trees. Also very common in introduced pantropic vegetation, such as small palms, bananas, papayas, in gardens and vegetation bordering human dwellings

Biology:

Total length of 4.5-5.5 inches. A thin-bodied, smallish day gecko that is lime green in color. A thin rust-colored line extends from the nostril to below the eye. A rust-colored spot may be present on the top of the head. Irregular rust-colored spots and bars are present on the back and tail. Typically, the mid-dorsal stripe is either lacking or very faint. A light blue hue is sometimes present on the lower back and upper portion of the tail. Ventral surface is off-white. Will colony nest ( a number of females utilizing the same nesting location ) where ideal nesting sites occur. Such locations may include holes in the trunks of trees or under protected places on human dwellings.

Care:

House as sexual pairs in a well-planted, vertically-oriented vivarium. Bromeliads and Dracaena are plants that work well. Feed adults one week old crickets and supplement with other small insects. Also offer fruit, fruit baby food once to twice weekly.

Breeding:

Remove eggs from the protected location in which they were laid and incubate at 82 F plus or minus 2 F; incubation period is 61-68 days.