Marbled leaf-toed gecko
A species of African leaf-toed geckos Scientific name : Afrogecko porphyreus Genus : African leaf-toed geckos
Marbled leaf-toed gecko, A species of African leaf-toed geckos
Scientific name: Afrogecko porphyreus
Genus: African leaf-toed geckos
Content
Description General Info
Photo By tonyrebelo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Description
The marbled leaf-toed gecko (Afrogecko porphyreus) is a gecko found in southern and southwestern South Africa (including many offshore islands) and in Namibia. It is a flat, medium-sized gecko.
General Info
Lifespan
8-10 years
Diet
Marbled leaf-toed gecko primarily feeds on small invertebrates. Its diet prominently includes meals of ants and termites, supplemented by various native insects. This gecko hunts mostly during the night, underlining its nocturnal nature.
Appearance
Marbled leaf-toed gecko is a small gecko, characterized by its smooth, glossy skin and oval-shaped body. Predominantly maroon in color, this lizard exhibits distinct black spotting across its body, blending into a paler underbelly. Marbled leaf-toed gecko has a thin, tapering tail and pads on its feet adapted for exceptional grip. There are no significant differences in appearance due to age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Marbled leaf-toed gecko exhibits a predominantly nocturnal life, foraging for insects during night. Their social dynamics are quite solitary, with interaction mostly occurring during the mating season. They possess unique antipredator behavior, dropping their tail to escape predators. Notably, marbled leaf-toed gecko has adapted to survive in dry, rocky habitats, capable of excellent camouflage against the stony ground.
Population
Stable
Photo By tonyrebelo , used under CC-BY-SA-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
Common geckos Genus
African leaf-toed geckos Species
Marbled leaf-toed gecko