? Peacock Day Gecko
Peacock Day Gecko eating, Phelsuma quadriocellata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Gekkonidae Genus: Phelsuma Species: P. quadriocellata Subspecies: P. q. quadriocellata
Trinomial name
Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata Peters, 1883
Synonyms
Pachydactylus quadriocellatus Peters, 1883 Phelsuma quadriocellata leiura Meier, 1883

The Four Spot Day Gecko (Phelsuma quadriocellata quadriocellata) or Peacock Day Gecko is a diurnal gecko that lives in eastern Madagascar. It typically inhabits trees and houses. The Four Spot Day Gecko feeds on insects and nectar. Image File history File linksMetadata Al_PeacockDay_02. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms (as opposed to folk taxonomy). ... Binomial name Aptenodytes forsteri Gray, 1844 For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicatas 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 See text. ... Suborders Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards Sauria- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Squamata (scaled reptiles) is the largest recent order of reptiles, including lizards and snakes. ... This article describes gecko lizards. ... Species 43 species; see text. ... Trinomial nomenclature is a taxonomic naming system that extends the standard system of binomial nomenclature by adding a third taxon. ... Wilhelm Karl Hartwich Peters (April 22, 1815 - April 20, 1883) was a German naturalist and explorer. ... In scientific classification, synonymy is the existence of multiple systematic names to label the same organism. ... Geckos are small to moderately large lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae and found in warm climates throughout the world. ...

Description

This lizard is one of the smallest day geckos. It can reach a length of about 12 cm. The body is dark green, the back covered with small red dots and bars. Small blue speckles may be present on the neck. Characteristic of this gecko are four turqoise spots, outlined in black, in the armpit area behind the front legs and in front of the rear limbs. This species has yellow eye rings. The ventral side is beige. Families Many, see text. ... Species 43 species; see text. ...

Distribution and Habitat

The four spot day gecko inhabits the east coast of Madagascar, and is quite common in the region around Andasibe. Preferring a moist warm climate, it inhabits various trees, including the banana, and is often found near human habitation. Species Hybrid origin; see text A banana plant is a herb in the genus, Musa, which because of its size and structure, is often mistaken for a tree. ...

Behaviour and Diet

The Four Spot eats various insects and other invertebrates, but they also like to lick soft, sweet fruit, pollen and nectar. These geckos are most active after the cooler months of June-August. Their mating season falls between October and the first weeks of May. During this period the females lay two eggs 3-5 weeks apart. Up to 6 pairs of eggs are laid per year. At a constant temperature of 28°C, the young hatch after 40-45 days and measure about 30 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity

These animals should be housed in pairs and need a well planted terrarium. The temperature should be about 28°C (locally around 30°C) during the day dropping to around 20°C at night. The daytime humidity should be maintained between 75 and 80%. It is important to include two cooler months with a daytime temperature of 24°C and 16°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.