The Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma
laticauda laticauda) is a diurnal species of gecko,
and actually a subspecies of the Broad-tailed Day
Gecko. Their natural habitat is in northern Madagascar,
where it commonly lives in trees and throughout urban
areas. It has also been seen on several of the islands
that make up Hawaii.
The Gold Dust Day Gecko grows to lengths
of about 13 cm, which puts them in the category of small
to mid-sized geckos. Their colours range from a really
bright green to yellow (with green markings), with blue
eyelids. Some specimens have been seen with blue as
the primary colour as well. All Gold Dust Day
Geckos specimens sport yellow speckles ("gold
dust") along their backs just behind their heads.
They have rust-coloured markings on their nose, and
three red streaks along their lower back.
Their primary food sources are insects and the nectars
of fruits. They also eat a variety of invertebrates
and other small lizards. Groups of Gold Dust
Day Gecko can often be seen grouped together
licking the pollen and nectar from the same flower or
fruit.
The male Gold Dust Day Gecko is almost
always extremely aggressive, and very territorial. They
do not allow other males to venture into their territory,
and will fight the other on sight. |
