Boehme's giant day geckko (Phelsuma madagascariensis boehmei MEIER 1982) is a diurnal species of geckos. It lives in eastern Madagascar and typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. Boehme's giant day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Phyla Porifera (sponges) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria Placozoa Bilateria Acoelomorpha Orthonectida Rhombozoa Myxozoa Superphylum Deuterostomia    Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders  Crocodylia - Crocodilians  Rhynchocephalia - Tuataras  Squamata   Suborder Sauria - Lizards   Suborder Serpentes - Snakes Testudines - Turtles Superorder Dinosauria  Saurischia  Ornithischia The reptiles are a group of vertebrate animals. ... Suborders Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards Sauria- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles. ... Groups Lepidosauromorpha Archosauromorpha Sauria is a clade of the reptilian family tree, that includes all living diapsids, as well as their common ancestor and all its extinct descendents, which date back to Permian times. ... This article describes gecko lizards. ... Genera Many, see text Genera Genus Afroedura Genus Afrogecko Genus Agamura Genus Ailuronyx Genus Alsophylax Genus Aristelliger Genus Asaccus Genus Blaesodactylus Genus Bogertia Genus Briba Genus Bunopus Genus Calodactylodes Genus Carinatogecko Genus Chondrodactylus Genus Christinus Genus Cnemaspis Genus Coleodactylus Genus Colopus Genus Cosymbotus Genus Crossobamon Genus Cryptactites Genus Cyrtodactylus Genus... Phelsumas are small lizards which are also known as day geckos. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is a standard convention used for naming species. ... 1. ... Genera Many, see text Geckos are small to moderately large lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae and found in warm climates throughout the world. ...

Description

This lizard belongs to the largest living day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 22 cm. The body colour is bright green. The skin between the scales has a black colour. A dark red-coloured stripe extends from the nostril to behind the eye. On the head and back there are irregularly shaped brownish or red-brick coloured dots.

Distribution

This species only inhabits the region around Andasibe and Ranomafana in eastern Madagascar.

Habitat

Phelsuma magascariensis boehmei is a rainforest species and is often found on trees high in the canopy. The east coast of Madagascar has a humid and warm climate. However, from June-August, the night temperature can be as low as 10°C and around 20–25°C during the day.

Diet

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

Behaviour

This Phelsuma species is apparently not as quarrelsome as other members of the genus.

Reproduction

The pairing season is between November and January. During this period, the females lay up to 6 pairs of eggs. At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 48–55 days. The juveniles measure 60–65 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a large, well planted terrarium. The humidity should be maintained between 75 and 100%. It is often suggested (McKeown, 1993; Henkel & Schmidt, 1995) that the daytime temperature should be between 25 and 28°C between November and January. These authors also suggest that between July and August, the daytime temperature should be 25°C while dropping it to 15°C at night. This way one simulates the rainforest environment. However the period between July and August corresponds with the warmest months on the northern hemisphere so active cooling might be necessary. For some breeders it therefore may be more adequate to shift this essential drop in temperature to the colder months (November–January) and the higher temperature to the months April–August. In captivity, these animals can be fed with crickets, wax moths, fruit flies, mealworms and houseflies.

References:

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