The Madagascar Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis or Phelsuma grandis) is a reptile in the Gekkonidae family of gecko lizards.
The Madagascar Giant Day Gecko is bright green with a red stripe from its nostril to each eye. It has red coloured dots or bars on its back. Its underbelly is creamy-white or yellow. It has round pupils (instead of vertical pupils like nocturnal lizards). It has no eyelids, so it keeps its eyes moist and clean by licking them with its long tongue.
It measures 22-30 centimetres (9-12 inches) long.
It is native to northern Madagascar. It prefers humid, tropical rainforests, but it can also live in dry forests.
The Madagascar Giant Day Gecko is omnivorous. It eats insects, plant nectar, and fruit.
It is diurnal, active during the day.
The female lays about 8 eggs, which hatch after about 60 days.
Location of photographs: Parc Zoologique de Paris in Bois de Vincennes, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM