Yellow-headed day gecko

Description

The yellow-headed day gecko (Phelsuma klemmeri), also commonly called Klemmer's day gecko,the neon day gecko, or the cheerful day gecko, is a small diurnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. This endangered species is endemic to northwestern Madagascar and inhabits coastal forests (both dry and humid), dwelling on bamboo. The yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar. P. klemmeri are very small, reaching a total length (including tail) of 3.25-3.75″ (8.3-9.5cm). The body colour of this slender and long-snouted gecko is turquoise blue at the upper and mid-back. The lower back is light brown. Most of the tail is turquoise blue. Remarkable is the laterally flattened body. Another typical characteristic is the yellow head. A dark black spot is present behind the eye, followed by a black stripe which extends to the rear extremities. The legs and toes are brown speckled. The ventral side is grayish white. The sexes can easily be distinguished by the orange color around the femoral pores of the males. P. klemmeri typically lives in bamboo forests. It sometimes shares its habitat with Phelsuma seippi and Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis. P. klemmeri is most commonly found on yellow bamboo canes, but may be found on green bamboo or other nearby foliage. When threatened, P. klemmeri will hide inside narrow cracks in the bamboo. The specific name, klemmeri, is in honor of German herpetologist Konrad Klemmer P. klemmeri inhabits northwest Madagascar, along the coast. It is only known from the Ampasindava Peninsula (at Antsatsaka) and near Mandrozo Lake P. klemmeri feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also likes to lick soft sweet fruit, pollen, and nectar. P. klemmeri is primarily active during the day (diurnal) and likes to bask. It often lives in small groups. Phelsuma is a large genus of geckos in the family Gekkonidae. Species in the genus Phelsuma are commonly referred to as day geckos. In contrast to most other gecko species, day geckos of the genus Phelsuma are active mainly during the day. Other diurnal geckos include species of the genera Lygodactylus and Gonatodes. Like most other geckos, day geckos lack eyelids, instead having rounded pupils and a clear, fixed plate covering their eyes which they clean with their tongues.