The Madagascar day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis, is a brightly-coloured lizard.
Profile
Class, order and family :
Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonidae
Life span :
up to 20 years in captivity
Size & Weight :
22 - 25 cm and 20 - 30 g
Incubation period :
2 months, 2 eggs
Natural habitat :
rainforests and dry forests, inhabited areas
Diet :
insects, nectar, fruit
Native region :
Madagascar
Statut UICN :
Least Concern (LC)
Lifestyle
Day geckos move around and sleep on vertical surfaces, without falling off. Under their toes are lamellae, or ridges, consisting of thousands of microscopic hairs called setæ, which, together with electromagnetic forces, ensure the gecko sticks perfectly, even on a smooth pane of glass.
Distinctive features
The geckos are diurnal, very brightly-coloured and have round pupils.
Anecdote
If threatened by a predator, it may lose the tip of its tail to flee.
