Madagascar Day Gecko

Reptiles and amphibians

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Identity card

Madagascar Day Gecko

Scientific name:: Phelsuma madagascariensis

Family:: Geckonidae

Class:: Reptilia

Phylum:: Chordata

Year of description:: Gray, 1831

IUCN Status:: Least Concern

CITES-status:: Appendix II

Distribution:: Northern Madagascar and Nosy Be Island, between 0 and 900 m altitude.

Habitat:: This gecko lives in the rainforest.

Size:: It measures between 22 and 30 cm, with the male being larger than the female.

Diet:: Insects, fruits, pollen as well as other lizards that are smaller than it.

This gecko lives in the rainforest. It can also be found on the walls of houses.

Biomimicry: the adhesive strips on the underside of the geckos' legs inspired the development of gecskin, a material used to attach objects to walls.

did you know?

Where is the animal to be found?

The Madagascar day gecko is an aggressive territorial animal. It is now also found on Reunion Island, the Seychelles, Florida and the Hawaiian Islands.

How can it be recognised?

It measures between 22 and 30 cm, with the male being larger than the female.
The Madagascar day gecko can hang vertically thanks to the adhesive strips under its legs.
It is easily identified by its bright green colour and red spots on its back.