View source for Yellow-headed day gecko

{{Short description|Species of lizard}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Yellow-headed day gecko
| image = Gekkonidae - Phelsuma klemmeri.JPG
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Raxworthy, C.J. |author-link=species:Christopher John Raxworthy |author2=Ratsoavina, F. |author2-link=species:Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina |author3=Glaw, F. |author3-link=Frank Glaw |author4=Rabibisoa, N. |author4-link=species:Nirhy Rabibisoa |author5=Rakotondrazafy, N.A. |author5-link=species:Ny A. Rakotondrazafy |author6=Bora, P. |author6-link=species:Parfait Bora |date=2011 |title=''Phelsuma klemmeri '' |volume=2011 |article-number=e.T172981A6952389 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172981A6952389.en |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Phelsuma
| species = klemmeri
| authority = [[Robert Seipp|Seipp]], 1991
| range_map = Phelsuma klemmeri distribution.png
}}

The '''yellow-headed day gecko''' ('''''Phelsuma klemmeri''')'', also [[Common name|commonly]] called the '''cheerful day gecko''', '''Klemmer's day gecko''',<ref name="EDR"/> and the '''neon day gecko''', is a small [[diurnal animal|diurnal]] [[species]] of [[gecko]], a [[lizard]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Gekkonidae]]. This [[endangered species]] is [[Endemism|endemic]] to northwestern [[Madagascar]] and inhabits coastal forests (both dry and humid), dwelling on bamboo.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" /> The yellow-headed day gecko feeds on insects and nectar.

==Etymology==
The [[Specific name (zoology)|specific name]], ''klemmeri'', is in honor of German [[Herpetology|herpetologist]] [[:de:Konrad Klemmer|Konrad Klemmer]].<ref name="EDR">[[species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]]; [[species:Michael Watkins|Watkins, Michael]]; [[species:Michael Grayson|Grayson, Michael]] (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. {{ISBN|978-1-4214-0135-5}}. (''Phelsuma klemmeri'', p. 143).</ref>

==Description==
''P. klemmeri'' <!-- belongs to the smallest subfamily of day geckos (?? Doesn't it belong to the large subfamily Gekkoninae? Or are any subfamilies of the family Gekkonidae still recognized? --> is small, reaching a total length (including tail) of {{cvt|3.25|–|3.75|in|cm}}. 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.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

{{Multiple image
| image1            = Phelsuma klemmeri - Wilhelma 01.jpg
| image2            = Gecko Phelsuma klemmeri.jpg
| image3            = Yellow-headed day gecko.jpg
| image4            = Yellow-headed.day.gecko.arp.jpg
| total_width       = 550
| align             = center
}}

==Geographic range==
''P. klemmeri'' inhabits northwest Madagascar, along the coast. It is only known from the Ampasindava Peninsula (at [[Antsatsaka]]) and near Mandrozo Lake.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" />

==Habitat==
''P. klemmeri'' typically lives in bamboo [[forest]], at altitudes up to {{cvt|400|m|ft}}.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021"/> It sometimes shares its habitat with ''[[Phelsuma seippi|P. seippi]]'' and ''[[Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis|P. madagascarienis grandis]]''.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} ''P. klemmeri'' is most commonly found on yellow bamboo canes,<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021"/> but may be found on green bamboo or other nearby foliage.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} When threatened, ''P. klemmeri'' will hide inside narrow cracks in the bamboo.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021"/>

==Diet==
''P. klemmeri'' feeds on various insects and other invertebrates. It also likes to lick soft sweet fruit, pollen, and nectar.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Behaviour==
''P. klemmeri'' is primarily active during the cooler part of the day ([[Diurnality|diurnal]])<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021"/> and likes to bask.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} It often lives in small groups.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Reproduction==
''P. klemmeri'' is [[Oviparity|oviparous]].<ref>{{EMBL species|genus=Phelsuma|species=klemmeri}} www.reptile-database.org.</ref> The female lays a pair of eggs and hides them in bamboo canes. At a temperature of 27&nbsp;°C (80.6&nbsp;°F), the young will hatch after approximately 39–52 days. Each juvenile measures {{convert|22|-|29|mm|in|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==Captivity==
The species ''P. klemmeri'' is bred extensively in captivity, and the [[IUCN]] thinks it unlikely that it is still wild-caught.<ref name="iucn status 18 November 2021" />

When well cared-for, this species may live for up to 15 years.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==References==
{{Wikispecies}}
{{Commons}}
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Frank Glaw|Glaw F]], [[Miguel Vences|Vences M]] (1994). ''A Fieldguide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar, Second Edition''. Cologne, Germany: Vences & Glaw Verlag / Serpents Tale. 480 pp. {{ISBN|978-3929449-01-3}}.
*[[species:Friedrich Wilhelm Henkel|Henkel F-W]]; [[species:Wolfgang Schmidt|Schmidt W]] (1995). ''Amphibien und Reptilien Madagaskars, der Maskarenen, Seychellen und Komoren''. Stuttgart: Ulmer. {{ISBN|3-8001-7323-9}}. (in German).
*[[Sean McKeown|McKeown, Sean]] (1993). ''The general care and maintenance of day geckos''. Lakeside, California: Advanced Vivarium Systems.
*[[species:Robert Seipp|Seipp R]] (1991). "''Eine neue Art der Gattung'' Phelsuma ''Gray 1825 von Madagaskar (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae)''". ''Senckenbergiana Biologica'' '''71''': 11–14. (''Phelsuma klemmeri'', new species). (in German).


{{Taxonbar|from=Q882598}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yellow-Headed Day Gecko}}
[[Category:Phelsuma]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1991]]