Phelsuma atriata semicarinata CHEKE 1976 (syn. Phelsuma astriata - KLUGE 1993) is a subspecies of geckos. It is a small, slender lizard, has a bright green colour and feeds on insects. It is found on different islands of the Seychelles, where it often lives near human dwellings.

Description:

The body of this smallish day gecko is lime green with rost-coloured dots and bars on the back which are irregularly shaped. Those redish dots form a thin mid-dorsdal stripe, which may be broken and may have some bars extending from it. There is a rust-coloured stripe between the nostril and the eye. On the head there is a rust-coloured, v-shaped marking with two transverse bars. Males often have a bluish or turquoise coloured tail and lower back. On both sides of the snout, a redish-brown stripe is extending from the nostrils to the eye. The undersurface of the body is white. These lizards reach a total length of about 12.5 cm.

Distribution:

This gecko is endemic to the Seychelles island Praslin.

Habitat:

This species is typically found on coconut palms and banana trees. It often lives near human settlements.

Diet:

These day geckos feed on insects, fruit, nectar and pollen.

Reproduction:

Phelsuma astriata semicarinata normally lays two 10 mm large eggs. The eggs are glued to leaves, trunks or at human dwellings in a protected and elevated location. Often, many females use communal nests to lay their eggs.

Care and maintenance in captivity:

Phelsuma astriata semicarinata should be housen in pairs. They need a vertically-oriented and well planted terrarium with vertically-oriented and horizontally-oriented bambus sticks as thick as a thumb.

References:

• Henkel, F.-W. and W. Schmidt (1995) Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren. Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7323-9
• McKeown, Sean (1993) The general care and maintenance of day geckos. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Lakeside CA.