Lined day gecko  (Phelsuma lineata)

The lined day gecko is one of just three species of Phelsuma, the day geckos, all of which occur on the island of Madagascar (2). It has soft, green skin on the back and a distinct black band running down the side of the body, bordered on the lower edge by a white stripe (2) (3). Five subspecies of the lined day gecko are recognised, each differing slightly in their patterning (2). Phelsuma lineata lineata has small red spots on its back, while P. l. dorsivittata has larger red spots and a red stripe running down the centre of the back. P. l. bombetokensis has both large and small red spots, on the head and on the back, and also has black spots where the limbs meet the body. The band that runs along the side of the body is greyish in this species, and some individuals may have yellow rings around the eyes. P. l. bifasciata has a large red blotch on the lower back, the tail is bluish, and the black band is bordered by a yellow stripe, while P. l. punctulata lacks any red markings but has a back dotted with many black spots (2). All of these subspecies have, like other geckos, unique toe pads that are capable of impressive adhesion. They also lack eyelids, and instead have a transparent covering over the eye (the spectacle) which dust or debris is licked off by their long, mobile tongue (3).