Pasteur's day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Sub-order:Sauria
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: v-nigra
Binomial name
Phelsuma v-nigra
Trinomial name
Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri

Table of contents
1 Scientific name:
2 Scientific synonyms:
3 Common name:
4 General introduction:
5 Description:
6 Distribution:
7 Habitat:
8 Diet:
9 Behaviour:
10 Reproduction:
11 Care and maintenance in captivity:
12 References:

Scientific name:

Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri MEIER 1984

Scientific synonyms:

Phelsuma pasteuri MEIRTE 1999

Common name:

Pasteur's day gecko

General introduction:

This small diurnal gecko of about 11 cm lives in the Comoros. It typically inhabits trees and bushes. Pasteur's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description:

This lizard belongs to the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum length of approximately 11 cm. The body colour is bright green. The tail may be bright blue. There is a red v-shaped stripe on the snout and a red bar between the eyes. On the back there often are a number of small red-brick coloured dots. Typical is the turqoise blue patch in the neck region, which may be segmented by a small red dorsal stripe. A yellow ring around the eye is present. This subspecies doesn't have the typical v-shaped marking on the throat The ventral side is yellowish.

Distribution:

This subspecies only inhabits the island Mayotte in the Comoros.

Habitat:

Phelsuma v-nigra pasteuri is found on bushes and trees along streams.

Diet:

These day geckos feed on various insects and other invertebrates. They also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar.

Behaviour:

Reproduction:

Care and maintenance in captivity:

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a medium sized, well planted terrarium. The daytime temperature should be between 28 and 30°C and 24 and 26°C at night. The humidity should be not too high. A two month winter cooldown should be included during which temperature is 25°C at daytime and 20°C at night. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References:

  1. Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3800173239
  2. McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.