Name:  African fat-tailed Gecko

Range:
Western Africa.

Habitat:
Savannah, open woodland, rocky hillsides and riverbanks. These geckos spend most of their time in moist microhabitats found in the arid to semi-arid habitats across their range.

Description:
A member of the subfamily Euplepharinae, these geckos lack some of the features commonly associated with other geckos, such as the lack of eyelids and lamellae on their toes, which allow other geckos to climb vertical surfaces. This species reaches a length between 6-10”, males are larger than females. This species is nocturnal and terrestrial.

Adaptations/Habitat:
The name "fat-tailed" gecko refers to defensive mechanism utilized by this species. When this gecko feels threatened they will autotomize (drop) their tail to distract a predator long enough to allow the gecko to escape. But when the new tail grows back, it is larger than the original and resembles the shape of the gecko’s head.

Breeding/Growth:
Oviparous (egg layers).

Diet:
Invertebrates.

Exhibit:
Eeeww!

Notes: