Seychelles small day gecko (Phelsuma atriata astriata TORNIER 1901) is a subspecies of geckos. It is a small, slender lizard with bright green colour and it feeds on insects. It is found on different islands of the Seychelles, where it often lives near human dwellings.

Scientific synonyms:

• Phelsuma carinatum [RENDAHL 1939]
• Phelsuma maheense [RENDAHL 1939]
• Phelsuma astriata - KLUGE 1993
• Phelsuma astriata - RÖSLER 2000: 101

Description:

The body of this day gecko is lime green with rost-coloured dots and bars on the back. Those redish dots sometimes form a mid-dorsdal stripe, which can be very faint. Males often have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail and lower back. On both sides of the snout, a redish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the eye. The undersurface of the body is off-white. These lizards reach a total length of about 14 cm.

Distribution:

This gecko is found on the following Seychelles islands: Astove, Mahé, Praslin, Curieuse, La Digue, Frégate.

Habitat:

This species is typically found on coconut palms and banana trees. It often lives near human settlements.

Reproduction:

Phelsuma astriata astriata normally lays two 10 mm large eggs. The eggs are glued to leaves, trunks or at human dwellings in a protected and elevated location. Often, many females use the same location to lay their eggs.

References:

• Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
  
• McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.