Golden gecko
| Golden gecko | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Gekko |
| Species: | G. badenii |
| Binomial name | |
| Gekko badenii Szczerbak & Nekrasova, 1994[2] | |
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| Synonyms | |
The golden gecko (Gekko badenii ) is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to Vietnam.
Etymology
The specific name, badenii, refers to Nui Ba Den (Black Lady Mountain), to which this species is indigenous.[3]
Description
The golden gecko gets its common name from the yellow- and gold-colored scales on its body. Males grow to around 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) in total length (including tail), while females stay around 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm).[4] Males have a longer tail base, with fleshy knobs at the base of the tail. Pores appear on the insides of the legs. Females have none of these.
Distribution and habitat
G. badeni has been reported from the Tây Ninh Province and Kon Tum Province of southern Vietnam (the latter following the recognition of Gekko ulikovskii as a synonym of this species). There is no definite information about its habitat, which is likely to be lowland rainforest.[1]
Diet
Golden geckos are primarily insectivores but will also take some fruit. Golden geckos hydrate themselves by drinking water from rainfall collecting on leaves.
As pets
Golden geckos are not very popular in the pet trade, so most are wild caught. They require a terrarium of a minimum of 20 US gallons (about 80 litres) for an adult. Females can live together, but males will fight. Captive hatchlings feed daily, and adults only need food every 5–6 days. They will eat crickets and meal worms, wax worms, and fruits, such as bananas and mangos, which are rich in calcium.[4]
References
- 1 2 Bain, R.H. (2009). "Gekko badenii ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
- ↑ Nguyen, Quang Truong; Schmitz, Andreas; Bohme, Wolfgang (April 2010). "Gekko ulikovskii Darevsky & Orlov, 1994: a junior synonym of Gekko badenii Szczerbak & Nekrasova, 1994" (PDF). Bonn Zoological Bulletin. 57 (1): 15–17. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- ↑ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. ("Baden", p. 14).
- 1 2 "Golden Gecko Care Guide". www.reptilesncritters.com. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
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