Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Seipp's day gecko

Seipp‘s day gecko
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Sub-order:Sauria
Family: Gekkonidae
Subfamily: Gekkoninae
Genus: Phelsuma
Species: seippi
Binomial name
Phelsuma seippi

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

Scientific name:

Phelsuma seippi MEIER 1987

Common name:

Seipp's day gecko

General introduction:

This diurnal gecko lives in north Madagascar. It typically inhabits rainforests and dwells on trees. Seipp's day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

Description:

This lizard belongs to the medium-sized day geckos. It can reach a total length of about 14 cm. The body colour of this slender and long-snoutet gecko is green or yellowish green. There are several small red or rust-coloured spots on the back which may form dorsal striping. A rust coloured eye stripe extends from the nostril to above the ear opening. A red v-shaped marking may be present on the head. Typical for this species are several v-shaped stripes on the throat. The ventral side is light pink.

Distribution:

This species inhabits northwest Madagascar. It can also be found on the island Nosy Bé.

Habitat:

Phelsuma seippi is restricted to the native rainforests and avoids bright sun light. It live on trees both in the forest and along its edges.

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 often found in pairs on a tree. Juveniles mainly inhabit surrounding low shrubs.

Reproduction:

The females lay a pair of eggs and hide them on the ground under foliage or wood or they may lay their eggs on trees under loose bark. At a temperature of 28°C, the young will hatch after approximately 45-50 days. The juveniles measure 40 mm.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

These animals should be housed in pairs in 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: