Pronk's day gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pronk's day gecko |
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| Conservation status | |
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Phelsuma
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| Species: |
pronki
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The Pronk's day gecko (scientific name: Phelsuma pronki) is a small, colorful lizard. It is a type of gecko that is active during the day. This special gecko lives only in central Madagascar. Sadly, it is a critically endangered animal. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever. Its biggest threats are losing its home and being caught for the pet trade. Pronk's day geckos usually live in rainforests. They spend their time on trees and and eat insects and sweet nectar.
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What's in a Name?
The Pronk's day gecko gets its name from a person. The "pronki" part of its scientific name honors Olaf Pronk. He was a naturalist from the Netherlands.
Meet the Pronk's Day Gecko
P. pronki is one of the smallest day geckos. It can grow to be about 11 centimeters (4.3 inches) long. This measurement includes its tail. Its body is mostly grayish. However, its head is bright yellow.
You can spot four jagged black stripes on its body. These stripes run all the way from its nose to its tail. Its legs and feet are dark, almost black. They also have small gray spots. Around its eyes, you will see a bright yellow ring.
Where Do They Live?
The Pronk's day gecko lives in the rainforests of central Madagascar. This area is a highland region. It is found near a place called Andramasina.
Their Rainforest Home
The home of the Pronk's day gecko is very rainy and wet. The temperature changes a lot there. It can be very different between day and night. The seasons also bring big temperature changes.
During the colder months, nights can get chilly. Temperatures might drop to about 4 to 6 degrees Celsius (39 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit). But during the day, it can warm up to over 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).
What Do They Eat?
P. pronki enjoys a varied diet. It eats different kinds of invertebrates. These include various insects. It also likes to drink nectar from flowers.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female Pronk's day geckos are clever about their eggs. They glue their eggs under loose tree bark. This helps to keep them safe.
Pronk's Day Geckos as Pets
It is important to know that Phelsuma pronki is a critically endangered species. This means it is very rare in the wild. Sadly, some of these geckos are still caught from their natural homes. They are then sold in the international pet trade.
However, experts can breed these geckos in captivity. If someone wants to keep them, they should be housed in pairs. They need a special home called a terrarium. This terrarium should have many plants. These plants give the geckos places to hide. It is also important to have special lights for them to bask under.
During the day, the temperature in their terrarium should be around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, the temperature should drop to about 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). The air in their home needs to be very humid. It should be between 75% and 100% humidity. In captivity, these geckos can eat crickets, wax moth larvae, fruit flies, mealworms, and houseflies.
