About Phelsuma inexpectata Mertens, 1966
This species of lizard, Phelsuma inexpectata, is one of the smallest day geckos. It can reach a maximum total length of about 12 cm. Its body is dark green, with three red stripes running from the snout to the neck. Starting from behind the eye, a thick brown stripe and a thin green-white stripe extend to above the front leg. The snout is partly dark blue. The back is covered with reddish dots, which are much less prominent in females. The underside of the gecko is off-white. Phelsuma inexpectata is endemic to the island of Réunion. It occurs only in coastal areas around Manapany-Les-Bains and St.-Joseph. This coastal ecosystem is among the most threatened on Réunion, and the species' habitat is severely fragmented by urbanization and agricultural development. It typically lives on trees including papaya, banana, and pandanus, as well as other pantropic vegetation. These geckos also inhabit human dwellings, and have been observed on postboxes and fences. Their biotope is relatively dry and hot.
