| Turnip-tailed Gecko | |
|---|---|
| Turnip-tailed Gecko in Ecuador | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Thecadactylus |
| Species: | T. rapicauda |
| Binomial name | |
| Thecadactylus rapicauda (Houttuyn, 1782) |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda) is a species of gecko widely distributed from Mexico southward through Central America and into South America as far south as Brazil, and on many islands in the Lesser Antilles.
It is a large gecko, reaching a length of 120 mm snout-to-vent. Its color varies from pale to dark gray to deep orange. Individuals can also change color. It can vocalize a series of chirps, which it mainly does while active at night. Its name comes from its swollen tail, which is used to store fat. It also waves its tail as a sign of aggression, and can shed its tail to distract predators.
It was long thought to be the only member of its genus, until T. solimoensis was described in 2007.