Gecko ID, please?!

[Mehelya]

While cleaning the bird cages this morning, I noticed this little chap sunning himself, and he was kind enough to wait for me to rush inside, and get the camera for a few shots...

He wasn't very big, about 6cm total length, give or take a few mm... I'm guessing at one of the Lygodactylus spp?

Can anyone ID this gecko for me, as I can't find it in Branch's book, or in Marais book! Location is Interior Northern KZN.





Thanks in advance!

[Westley Price]

Definitely Lygodactylus sp.

I think it is just a very nicely coloured, bold patterned L. capensis.

I don't have my field guide handy so might be wrong.

[Fooble]

West it's Lygodactylus capensis without a doubt. Nice boldly patterned one though.

Also they will be darker in the early mornings as they absorb more of the sunlight to get going for the day.

[Mehelya]

Thank Wes, and Fooble!

The body coloration had me fooled, and I was wondering how a L. bradfieldi had gotten here, but that explains it. Guess I should study geckos as much as I study snakes! Thanks Wes and Fooble!

[Westley Price]

Interesting to note that L. bradfieldi was previously a western population of L. capensis and has only relatively recently elevated to full species status.

So no shame in confusing the two species!

[Jamster]

When i was young i kept these guys in a little terrarium and i found they they were able to change their "colour" or more the shade of drakness cute little buggers

[Mehelya]

Thanks Westley and Fooble! I don't feel so much of a dunce now!

Jamster, don't geckos need UV to survive in captivity? I'm just asking, not dropping on you, as I always want to learn something new about our fauna.

[Jamster]

kept them on the window sill fish tank on its side with mesh covering the top

[Jamster]

was also easy because any flies buzzing up against the window i just threw in after taking one off one wing and they munched them