This new feature on the blog will focus on urban introduced species across the globe, giving brief histories of where they came from, how they got where they are now & more on their ecology and evolution.
The Gold Dust Day Gecko
Phelsuma laticauda
Best known for the starring role as the “Geico” gecko, the Gold Dust Day gecko (P. laticauda) is the first urban wildlife spotlight. Native to Madagascar and the Comoros, this gecko is now found in Hawai’i and other Pacific Islands. After being introduced to the Manoa Valley on Oahu in 1974 by a University of Hawai’i student, the initial population of just eight grew and spread. Now, you can easily find these geckos on houses, garden plants, and other human structures, as well as on Maui and the Big Island. Just one of the many examples of how easily an introduced species can establish. These introduced geckos are not currently thought to be harmful to native Hawaiian wildlife and have become a favorite of many residents. They eat small insects, nectar and pollen, but do have a love for sweet fruits and juices as seen below!
Featured Image: A gold dust day gecko caught sipping on left over fruit juice.
Sources:
Mckeown, S. (1996). A field guide to reptiles and amphibians in the Hawaiian Islands. Diamond Head Publishing.
Zug, G. (2013). Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands: A Comprehensive Guide. In Reptiles and Amphibians of the Pacific Islands: A Comprehensive Guide. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.23317515.143.1
- Urban Wildlife Spotlight: The European Starling - October 28, 2021
- Urban Wildlife Spotlight: The Gold Dust Day Gecko - August 12, 2021
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