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Short-headed day gecko

Phelsuma breviceps

The short-headed day gecko is a tiny day gecko from Madagascar that grows to a length of only about 8 centimetres, making it one of the smallest species in the genus Phelsuma.

VU

Red List

Vulnerable

The short-headed day gecko has very thin skin, from which the scales can easily peel away. The gecko uses this shedding of the outermost layer of skin as an escape strategy, ‘sacrificing’ it at the last moment to enable it to get away.

The short-headed day gecko inhabits hot thorn bush savannahs in south-western Madagascar. There, it likes to hide amongst the large thorns of the plant Euphorbia stenoclada. Both the gecko and the plant are vulnerable due to the decline of their habitat.

Taxonomy

Gekkonidae, genus Phelsuma (over 50 species)

Habitat

thornbush savannahs in south-western Madagascar, specifically on Euphorbia stenoclada

Behaviour and ecology

diurnal

Diet

insects, spiders, snails, overripe fruit, honey, nectar, pollen

Taxonomy

Gekkonidae, genus Phelsuma (over 50 species)

Habitat

thornbush savannahs in south-western Madagascar, specifically on Euphorbia stenoclada

Behaviour and ecology

diurnal

Diet

insects, spiders, snails, overripe fruit, honey, nectar, pollen

Godparent

Support the animals of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Short-headed day gecko for CHF 150.–

Become a godparent

Godparent

Support the animals of Zoo Zurich with your annual godparent sponsorship

Short-headed day gecko for CHF 150.–

Become a godparent

Weitere Taggeckos

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