Gold dust day gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gold dust day gecko |
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_Nosy_Komba.jpg) |
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| Island of Nosy Komba, Madagascar | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Phelsuma
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| Species: |
laticauda
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| Synonyms | |
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Pachydactylus laticauda Boettger, 1880 |
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The gold dust day gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) is a type of gecko. It is active during the day. This gecko lives in northern Madagascar, the Comoro Islands, and the Mascarene Islands. It has also been brought to Hawaii and other Pacific islands.
This gecko mostly lives in trees in tropical forests. Sometimes, it can also be found near human homes. It eats insects and sweet nectar from flowers. There is one other type, called a subspecies. It is named Phelsuma laticauda angularis.
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What Does the Gold Dust Day Gecko Look Like?
This lizard can grow to be about 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13 cm) long. Its body is usually bright green or yellowish-green. Sometimes, it can even be blue.
This day gecko has special red spots on its neck and upper back. It also has three rust-colored stripes on its snout and head. The skin around its eyes is blue. On its lower back, there are three red stripes that get thinner. Its tail is a bit flat. The underside of its body is off-white. Young geckos do not have the red colors. Their tails and legs look off-white.
What Do Gold Dust Day Geckos Eat?
These day geckos eat many different insects. They also eat other small creatures without backbones. Sometimes, they can even eat other smaller lizards.
They also enjoy soft, sweet fruit. They drink pollen and nectar from flowers. Many geckos might gather together to feed from one plant.
Gold Dust Day Gecko Behavior
Male gold dust day geckos can be quite aggressive. They do not like other males in their area. If kept as pets, males might hurt females if the females cannot get away.
Gold Dust Day Gecko Reproduction
Female geckos lay one or two eggs at a time. If the temperature is about 82°F (28°C), the young geckos will hatch. This usually happens after about 40 to 45 days.
The baby geckos are about 2 to 2.4 inches (55 to 60 mm) long when they hatch. It is best to keep young geckos separate. This is because they can be quite quarrelsome with each other. They become old enough to have their own babies after 10 to 12 months.
Keeping Gold Dust Day Geckos as Pets
Some people keep the gold dust day gecko as a pet. With good care, these geckos can live for a long time. They may live up to 15 years.
