Ptychozoon kuhli

Kuhl's flying gecko

Kuhl's Flying Gecko, Ptychozoon kuhli
Conservation status
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Sauria
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Ptychozoon
Species:	P. kuhli
Binomial name
*Ptychozoon kuhli* Stejneger, 1902

Kuhl's flying gecko or common flying gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli) is a species of gecko which has adaptations to its skin, including flaps on either side of its body, webbed feet, and a flattened tail to allow it to glide over short distances. These geckos have a remarkable camouflage. The flaps of skin along their sides help them blend with tree bark. Often, the eyes are the only way to see them.

Flying geckos, like many other gecko species, have evolved intricate toe pads with microscopic hairs that can adhere to nearly any surface, including glass.

The underside of Kuhl's flying gecko Ptychozoon kuhli. Note the gliding adaptations: flaps of skin on the legs, feet, sides of the body, and on the sides of the head.

Distribution

Southern Thailand (Nakhon Si Thammarat, Satun, Pattani), Myanmar, northeastern India, Malaysian Peninsula (incl. Pulau Tioman, Johor: Pulau Besar), Nicobar Islands, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Simalur), and Singapore.

As pets

Flying geckos require among other things a 15-20 gallon terrarium and careful handling. They should be handled as little as possible, due to possible damage to their skin.^[1] Flying geckos are insectivorous. In captivity, they feed on crickets, mealworms, superworms and waxworms.

References

↑ Flying Geckos - Facts, Pet Supplies Comparison Shopping. Awesome Pet Library. Retrieved January 14, 2011. "As with most tree dwelling or arboreal geckos, it is best not to touch or handle these geckos frequently. Their skin is sensitive and can be damaged easily."

Brown, Rafe M., John W. Ferner and Arvin C. Diesmos. 1997 Definition of the Philippine Parachute Gecko, Ptychozoon intermedium Taylor 1915 (Reptilia: Squamata: gekkonidae): Redescription, designation of a neotype, and comparisons with related species. Herpetologica 53 (3):357-373.
Brown, Rafe M. 1999 New species of parachute gecko (Squamata: Gekkonida genus Ptychozoon) from northeastern Thailand and central Vietnam. Copeia 1999 (4): 990-1001
Mertens, Robert;Senfft, Walter 1929 Aus dem Leben des Faltengeckos (Ptychozoon kuhli Stejneger) Natur und Museum 59 (4): 218-224
Stejneger, L. 1902 Ptychozoon kuhli, a new name for P. homalocephalum. Proc. Biol. Soc. (Washington) 15: 37

External links

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