Phelsuma dubia (Boettger, 1881)

Common Name and Taxon Category

Phelsuma dubia, commonly called the dusty day gecko, is a medium-sized species of day gecko.

Adult Size

Adults reach a maximum total length of approximately 15 centimeters.

Body Base Coloration

The body colour of this species ranges from grayish green, grayish brown to bluish green.

Tail Coloration

Individuals may have a bright blue tail.

Head Markings

A rust-coloured stripe runs from each nostril to the eye, and a red V-shaped stripe appears on the snout.

Dorsal Markings

The back often has brown or red-brick coloured dots.

Lateral and Ventral Coloration

A gray lateral stripe extends from the eye to the hind leg, and the ventral underside is off-white.

Juvenile and Neonatal Coloration

Juveniles have a light brown dorsal surface marked with small light blue spots, and the tail of newly hatched neonates is yellow.

Madagascar Distribution

This species is distributed along the west coast of Madagascar, specifically in the general area of Majunga.

Extra-Madagascar Distribution

It can also be found in the Comoros, on Zanzibar, and in some coastal areas of mainland Tanzania.

Habitat Adaptability

Phelsuma dubia adapts readily to a wide variety of different biotopes.

Vegetation Habitat

These day geckos are most often found on various trees and other lowland vegetation.

Anthropogenic Habitat

They also live on buildings as a human commensal, living closely alongside humans.

Reproductive Egg-laying Behavior

Females of this species are egg gluers, and multiple females will often lay their eggs in the same shared location.