Gecko ID, please?!

Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Mehelya » Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:46 am

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.

Image

Image

Thanks in advance!
Rian
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Westley Price » Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:57 am

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.
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Fooble » Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:03 am

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.
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Mehelya » Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:25 am

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. :oops: Guess I should study geckos as much as I study snakes! Thanks Wes and Fooble!
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Westley Price » Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:32 am

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!
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Jamster » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:26 pm

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 :D cute little buggers :)
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Mehelya » Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:46 pm

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.
Rian
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Jamster » Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:49 am

kept them on the window sill :) fish tank on its side with mesh covering the top :)
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
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Re: Gecko ID, please?!

Postby Jamster » Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:50 am

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 :)
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
User avatar
Jamster
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Posts: 1215
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Location: Port Elizabeth


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