Cnemaspis otai

Cnemaspis otai
Conservation status
	; Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Cnemaspis
Species:	C. otai
Binomial name
	Cnemaspis otai; Das & Bauer, 2000

Last updated September 29, 2025

Cnemaspis otai, also known commonly as Ota's day gecko or the Vellore day gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southeastern India.

Etymology

The specific name, otai, is in honor of Japanese herpetologist Hidetoshi Ota (born 1959).^[2]

Geographic range

C. otai is found in the southern Eastern Ghats in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.^[3]

The type locality is "Vellore Fort, Vellore, North Arcot District, Tamil Nadu, India".^[3]

Habitat

The preferred habitat of C. otai is forest at altitudes of 200–225 m (656–738 ft).^[1]

Description

C. otai may attain a snout-to-vent length of 3 cm (1.2 in). Dorsally, it is grayish brown with black spots. Ventrally, it is yellowish cream.^[4]

Behavior

C. otai is diurnal and rock-dwelling.^[4]

Reproduction

C. otai is oviparous.^[3]

References

1 2 Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B. (2013). "Cnemaspis otai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T194098A2298396. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T194098A2298396.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
↑ 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. (Cnemaspis otai, p. 197).
1 2 3 Species Cnemaspis otai at The Reptile Database
1 2 Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Cnemaspis otai, p. 88).

Das I, Bauer AM (2000). "Two New Species of Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekonidae) from Tamil Nadu, Southern India". Russian Journal of Herpetology7 (1): 17–28. (Cnemaspis otai, new species).
Ganesh SR, Kalaimani A, Karthik P, Baskaran N, Nagarajan R, Chandramouli SR (2018). "Herpetofauna of Southern Eastern Ghats, India – II From Western Ghats to Coromandel Coast". Asian Journal of Conservation Biology7 (1): 28–45.

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[iucn_status_18_November_2021-1] 1 2 Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B. (2013). "Cnemaspis otai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013 e.T194098A2298396. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T194098A2298396.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.

[2] 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. (Cnemaspis otai, p. 197).

[RDB-3] 1 2 3 Species Cnemaspis otai at The Reptile Database

[Das2002-4] 1 2 Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Cnemaspis otai, p. 88).

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