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Robert Merten's day gecko

Robert Merten's day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Sub-order:Sauria
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: robertmertensi
Binomial name
Phelsuma robertmertensi

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

Scientific name:

Phelsuma robertmertensi MEIER 1980

Common name:

Robert Merten's day gecko

General introduction:

This diurnal gecko lives on the Comoros. It typically inhabits banana trees. Robert Merten's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description:

This lizard species is one of the smallest of its genus. It can reach a total length of about 11 cm. The body colour can be dark green or bluish green. From the head to the tail extends a orange mid dorsal stripe. The sides of the neck as well as the flanks are greyish brown.


Phelsuma robertmertensi juvenile

Distribution:

This species inhabits only a smal area on the island Mayotte (Comoros)

Habitat:

Phelsuma robetmertensi is often found on banana trees trees and in abandonded vanilla orchid plantations.

Diet:

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

Reproduction:

At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 49-53 days. The juveniles measure 19-22 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be between 25 and 28°C. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 100%. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References: