Robert Mertens's day gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Robert Mertens's day gecko |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| A juvenile Phelsuma robertmertensi | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Phelsuma |
| Species: |
P. robertmertensi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phelsuma robertmertensi Meier, 1980
|
|
 |
|
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
The Robert Mertens's day gecko (Phelsuma robertmertensi) is a special type of lizard. It's known for being active during the day. This small gecko belongs to the Gekkonidae family. You can only find it in the Comoros Islands.
Contents
What's in a Name?
This gecko is named after a German scientist. His name was Robert Mertens. He studied reptiles and amphibians.
What Does It Look Like?
Robert Mertens's day gecko is quite small. It grows to about 11 centimeters long. That includes its tail! Its body can be dark green or bluish green. It has a bright orange stripe down its back. This stripe goes from its head all the way to its tail. The sides of its neck and body are usually greyish brown.
Where Does It Live?
This gecko lives in a very small area. You can only find it on the island of Mayotte. Mayotte is part of the Comoro Islands.
Its Home Environment
You can often find Robert Mertens's day geckos on banana trees. They also like to live in old vanilla orchid farms.
What Does It Eat?
This gecko enjoys eating many different things. It hunts various insects and other small creatures. It also likes to lick soft, sweet fruits. Pollen and nectar from flowers are also part of its diet.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Robert Mertens's day geckos lay eggs. This means they are oviparous. If the eggs are kept at about 28 degrees Celsius, the baby geckos will hatch. This usually happens after 49 to 53 days. When they hatch, the young geckos are tiny. They measure only about 19 to 22 millimeters long.
Caring for Them in Captivity
If you keep Robert Mertens's day geckos, they should be in pairs. They need a terrarium with lots of plants. The temperature inside their home should be between 25 and 28 degrees Celsius. It also needs to be quite humid. The humidity should be between 75 and 100 percent. In captivity, they can eat crickets and wax moth larvae. They also enjoy fruit flies, mealworms, and houseflies.
 | Selma Burke |
 | Pauline Powell Burns |
 | Frederick J. Brown |
 | Robert Blackburn |
