Lizards - The Geckos
Photo Left: Dwarf Yellow-Headed Gecko (Lygodactylus luteopicturatus) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
List of Gecko Families
- Family Pygopodidae
- Family Carphodactylidae
- Family Diplodactylidae
- Family Sphaerodactylidae
- Family Phyllodactylidae
- Family Eublepharidae
- Family Gekkonidae
About 1,500 species of geckos occur worldwide, including these familiar or notable species from Wikipedia:
- Coleonyx variegatus, the western banded gecko, is native to the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico.
- Cyrtopodion brachykolon, the bent-toed gecko, is found in northwestern Pakistan; it was first described in 2007.
- Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko, is the most common gecko kept as a pet; it does not have adhesive toe pads and cannot climb the glass of a vivarium.
- Gehyra mutilata (Peropus mutilatus), the stump-toed gecko, is able to vary its color from very light to very dark to camouflage itself; this gecko is at home in the wild, as well as in residential areas.
- Gekko gecko, the Tokay gecko, is a large, common, Southeast Asian gecko known for its aggressive temperament, loud mating calls, and bright markings.
- Hemidactylus is genus of geckos in which there are many varieties.
- Hemidactylus frenatus, the Common house gecko, thrives around man and human habitation structures in the tropics and subtropics worldwide.
- Hemidactylus garnotii, the Indo-Pacific gecko, is found in houses throughout the tropics, and has become an invasive species of concern in Florida and Georgia in the US.
- Hemidactylus mabouia, the Tropical house gecko, Afro-American house gecko or Cosmopolitan house gecko, is a species of house gecko native to sub-Saharan Africa and also currently found in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
- Hemidactylus turcicus, the Mediterranean house gecko, is frequently found in and around buildings, and is an introduced species in the US.
- Lepidodactylus lugubris, the mourning gecko, is originally an East Asian and Pacific species; it is equally at home in the wild and residential neighborhoods.
- Pachydactylus bibroni, Bibron's gecko, is native to southern Africa; this hardy arboreal gecko is considered a household pest.
- Phelsuma laticauda, the gold dust day gecko, is a diurnal gecko; it lives in northern Madagascar and on the Comoros. It is also an introduced species in Hawaii.
- Ptychozoon is a genus of arboreal geckos from Southeast Asia also known as flying geckos or parachute geckos; they have wing-like flaps from the neck to the upper leg to help them conceal themselves on trees and provide lift while jumping.
- Rhacodactylus is genus of geckos native to New Caledonia.
- Rhacodactylus ciliatus, the crested gecko, was believed extinct until rediscovered in 1994, and is gaining popularity as a pet.
- Rhacodactylus leachianus, the New Caledonian giant gecko, was first described by Cuvier in 1829; it is the largest living species of gecko.
- Sphaerodactylus ariasae, the dwarf gecko, is native to the Caribbean Islands; it is the world's smallest lizard.
- Tarentola mauritanica, the crocodile gecko or Moorish gecko, is commonly found in the Mediterranean region from the Iberian Peninsula and southern France to Greece and northern Africa; their most distinguishing characteristics are their pointed heads, spiked skin, and tails resembling that of acrocodile.
Web Resources
New Bent Toed Gecko Species
ARKive - The Giant Flat-tailed Gecko
ARKive - Madagascar Dwarf Gecko
ARKive - St. Lucia Dwarf Gecko
ARKive - Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
Ashy Gecko
New Bent Toed Gecko Species
ARKive - The Giant Flat-tailed Gecko
ARKive - Madagascar Dwarf Gecko
ARKive - St. Lucia Dwarf Gecko
ARKive - Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
Ashy Gecko
Projects & Activities
Science Fair Experiments.org - Geckos, the Amazing Wall Climbers
The Artist Woman Blog - Gecko Color Wheel
Craft & Home - Gecko Dot Art (you can use the downloads either below or from the website i.e. gecko outline and or gecko black)
LaPaz Home Learning - Lizard Art Tutorial
The Artist Woman Blog - Gecko Color Wheel
Craft & Home - Gecko Dot Art (you can use the downloads either below or from the website i.e. gecko outline and or gecko black)
LaPaz Home Learning - Lizard Art Tutorial
gecko_outline_2.pdf |
gecko_black_2.pdf |
clean_teeth_and_sticky_toes-bio-inspired_2009_2.pdf |
gecko_journal_cover_2.pdf |
Live Class #4 & HYBRID Course Videos for Herps Jan. - May Sessions
Informative Videos