Where is the animal to be found?
Endemic to Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, the Manapany day gecko Phelsuma inexpectata is found in the south of the island, around the territory of Saint-Joseph in a place called Manapany where the largest population is found. The area occupied by the gecko is 16 km². This gecko is a diurnal, arboreal reptile that lives in vacoas, which are plants that look like palm trees.
How can it be recognised?
It is a small animal, measuring between 10 and 13 centimetres and weighing only 10 grammes. Adult females are smaller than males.
Both males and females are characterised by red spots along their long bodies, and red, white and black stripes running from the head. Males have more contrasting colours and a longer, thinner tail than females.
What is distinctive about it?
The Manapany day gecko is probably a pollinator of several native plant species.
Threat and protective measure
Predation by invasive species, reptiles, birds or mammals is a threat to the survival of the species as could be competition with other gecko species (Phelsuma laticauda and P. grandis).
The IUCN considers this species to be "critically endangered".
Changes to its habitat and urban expansion are other threats to this lizard, along with climate change. In fact, both the increase in temperature and the decrease in rainfall in this part of the island could affect the gecko population and its food resources. The number of geckos was estimated at between 5,000 and 10,000 individuals in 1995; in 2011, a new study estimated the population at between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals.
