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Homopholis fasciata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Infraorder: | Gekkota |
Family: | Gekkonidae |
Genus: | Homopholis |
Species: | H. fasciata |
Binomial name | |
Homopholis fasciata Boulenger, 1890 | |
Synonyms | |
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Homopholis fasciata, a nocturnal vertebrate known as the banded velvet gecko or striped velvet gecko, is a small gecko that lives in East Africa. [1] [2] [3]
Homopholis fasciata are small geckos with soft, velvet-like skin. They have short, rounded heads and long, thin non-tapering tails. Their body shape is stout with a bunt and toes that have both adhesive pads and claws. Their skin ranges from green, greys and browns with a chevron-like pattern down the back. They grow to 3½"–4½" and are known to bite. [4] They are very common in both urban and rural areas and although they can bite they rarely ever do as their main defence is to play dead rather than to defend or attack. Although not known how long this gecko can play dead for it is not uncomon for them to be motionless for two to three days whilst they still feel under threat. The gecko is prey to snakes but in urban areas domestic cats attack and kill these lovely little reptiles that can be seen often scaling walls and running around gardens during the day. This gecko does not mind daylight but does hide in shaded places during midday when the sun is at its highest.
Homopholis fasciata occur in East Africa, [1] [2] [5] in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania. [1] [2] They inhabit wet or dry savannas containing large trees. They can be found hiding under the bark and in the crevasses of these trees. Mostly nocturnal but may also be found active during the day. [1]
In captivity, they require many hiding spots and 80–90 °F heating by means of a heat mat. The optimal temperature should be 75° to 82 °F daytime with a 5° to 10 °F drop at night. A daytime hot spot is beneficial; using a 10 or 20 watt halogen light works well. These geckos requires moderate to high humidity, 60 to 80%, with a gradient between one side of the enclosure and the other. This can be accomplished well by keeping the side where the water dish is located a bit cooler and spraying that area down daily. As for lighting, use plant grow lights on a timer to simulate the tropics, 12 hours on, 12 hours off. Seasonal day length fluctuations are not needed but could help to stimulate breeding. A dim night light is required for viewing nocturnal activities. A 10-gallon will work for a pair but a taller tank would be better. Set it up as forest habitat with climbing branches, sturdy plants, hiding places and a warm area or basking spot.
Small crickets are the main staple diet along with small mealworms and various other insects when available. Excess calcium causes their neck pouches to puff out.
In terms of mating, males have hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail. Males also have a pair of pre-anal pores/scales just above the cloacal opening that the females lack. Egg laying may occur during the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. 4 or 5 clutches of 2 eggs each may be laid during the breeding period. The hard-shelled eggs are laid under loose bark, in crevasses or buried in a slightly moist spot. They should be removed for incubation at around 82 °F.
Homopholis is a genus of geckos found in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their diet consists of small insects, and they are oviparous.
The crested gecko, also known commonly as the eyelash gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is native to southern New Caledonia. In 1866, the crested gecko was originally described by French zoologist Alphonse Guichenot. The species was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1994 during an expedition led by German herpetologist Robert Seipp. Along with several other New Caledonian gecko species, it is being considered for protected status by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
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Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas. A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.
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The African fat-tailed gecko or fat-tail gecko is a ground-dwelling species of gecko from West Africa and Cameroon.
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The Mediterranean house gecko is a species of house gecko native to the Mediterranean region, from which it has spread to many parts of the world including parts of East Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and the Southern and Southeastern United States. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it tends to emerge in the evening.
Muller's velvet gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
The Qattara gecko is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae.
Uroplatus sikorae, commonly referred to as the mossy leaf-tailed gecko or the southern flat-tail gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Madagascar. It is a CITES II protected animal due to habitat loss.
The dubious dtella, native Australian house gecko, or dubious four-clawed gecko is a species of gecko in the genus Gehyra, native to Northeastern Australia. The lizard is found in a variety of habitats, including acacia and eucalyptus woodlands, and in human-developed habitats, such as house walls in urban areas. Its urban presence makes it known as a common house gecko in Queensland. These geckos are often confused with the Asian common house gecko, which was introduced to Australia from Indonesia, but G. dubia has distinct rounded feet and quieter calls.
Diplodactylus vittatus, commonly known as the eastern stone gecko, stone gecko, and wood gecko, is a species of diplodactylid lizards that occurs in forest, shrubland and arid regions across Australia. It is widespread across the states of Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, commonly found in dry peripheral bushlands. This gecko can be kept as a pet or seen within zoo enclosures.
Aspidelaps lubricus, commonly known as the Cape coral snake, Cape coral cobra or coral shield cobra, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.
Pachydactylus rangei, the Namib sand gecko or Namib web-footed gecko, is a species of small lizard in the family Gekkonidae. It inhabits the arid areas of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa, and was first described in 1908 by Swedish zoologist Lars Gabriel Andersson, who named it after its finder, German geologist Dr. Paul Range.
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Nephrurus levis, commonly known as the three-lined knob-tailed gecko, smooth knob-tailed gecko, or common knob-tailed gecko, is a native Australian gecko species. The smooth knob-tailed gecko is part of the Carphodactylidae family, a family endemic to Australia. A common, alternative, name for this family is barking geckos due to the loud barks they make during threat displays, which includes swaying their bodies, winding their tail and attacking with an open mouth. There are multiple sub-species of Nephrurus levis, these include N.l. levis, N.l. occidentalis and N.l. pibarenis. Its aboriginal name is Illchiljera.
Saltuarius salebrosus, also known as the rough-throated leaf-tailed gecko or Central Queensland leaf-tailed gecko, is a gecko found in Australia. It is endemic to dry areas in mid-eastern and south-central Queensland.
Strophurus williamsi, also known commonly as the eastern spiny-tailed gecko, the soft-spined gecko, and Williams' spiny-tailed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. The species is endemic to semi-arid regions of eastern Australia including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It has become a popular species as a pet for its distinctive tail features. S. williamsi has been grouped within a clade of seven other species that are believed to have diverged from their ancestors around 20 million years ago. S. williamsi can be distinguished from closer relatives by arboreality and diurnal (day-active) activity.