Pachydactylus rangei
| Pachydactylus rangei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Sauria |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Subfamily: | Gekkoninae |
| Genus: | Pachydactylus |
| Species: | P. rangei |
| Binomial name | |
| Pachydactylus rangei Anderson, 1908[1] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Pachydactylus rangei, the Namib sand gecko or web-footed gecko, is a species of small lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It inhabits the arid areas of Angola and Namibia and was first described in 1908 by L. G. Anderson, who named it after its finder, Dr. P. Range.[3]
Description
Pachydactylus rangei grows to a length of about 13 cm (5 in) including a 6-centimetre (2.4 in) tail. The head is quite distinct from the slender body and both are flattened dorsally. The eyes are large, dark-coloured and protuberant and have vertical pupils. The skin is covered in fine, smooth scales and is translucent, and some of the internal organs can be seen through it. The legs are thin but the feet are broad, with fully webbed toes, enabling this gecko to burrow easily and to run on loose sand. The tail is thicker in males. The head and dorsal surface are pinkish-brown with darker markings, particularly in two intermittent lateral lines, and the ventral surface is off-white. There is often a bluish band between the eyes. This species is rather similar in appearance to Ptenopus garrulus, another species of gecko found within its range.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
Pachydactylus rangei is endemic to the Namib Desert where it is found near the coast and up to 130 kilometres (80 miles) inland at altitudes of up to 300 metres (1,000 feet). The type locality is Lüderitz in Namibia. Its habitat is among rocks and stunted vegetation and on the dry loose sand of sand dunes.[4]
Biology
Pachydactylus rangei is nocturnal, spending the day in a burrow up to a metre (yard) deep.[4] It emerges at night to feed on arthropods such as termites, ants, beetles, grasshoppers and spiders.[4] Its main source of water is the drops of dew found on vegetation. It can also absorb moisture through its skin.[4]
Each individual normally lives a solitary life. It may emit certain squeaks and grunts when disturbed or when trying to find a mate. Reproduction takes place in April and May. During copulation, the male grasps the female tightly while gripping her neck with his teeth and bends his tail round under hers. The female lays one or two oval, hard-shelled eggs and buries them in moist sand where they need to incubate at a temperature of about 30 °C (86 °F). The young geckos hatch out after about eight weeks and are already 10 cm (4 in) long. They start eating after about four days.[4]
References
- ↑ Bauer, Aaron. "Pachydactylus rangei Andersson, 1908". ITIS Report. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ "Pachydactylus rangei Andersson, 1908". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pachydactylus rangei Andersson, 1908". www.Pachydactylus.com. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Cutler, Melanie (1999). "Pachydactylus rangei". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- This article contains information translated from the German Wikipedia article.