Golden gecko

Golden gecko
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]
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, though a vertical 10-15 gallon tank could accommodate an adult due to the greater space. 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. 1 2 Bain, R.H. (2010). "Gekko badenii". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T178554A7570021. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-4.RLTS.T178554A7570021.en. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  2. ↑ 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 May 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  3. ↑ 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).
  4. 1 2 "Golden Gecko Care Guide". www.reptilesncritters.com. Retrieved 2016-05-16.
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