Alexander's southern gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alexander's southern gecko |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Christinus
|
| Species: |
alexanderi
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Phyllodactylus marmoratus alexanderi |
|
Christinus alexanderi, also called Alexander's southern gecko or Alexander's marbled gecko, is a type of gecko. Geckos are small lizards. This gecko lives in the Nullarbor Plain in Australia. It is one of several types of geckos known as marbled geckos because of their patterns.
About This Gecko
Where It Fits In
Scientists group living things into categories. Christinus alexanderi is one of three types of geckos in the group called Christinus. It belongs to the larger gecko family, Gekkonidae. A scientist named Glen Storr first described this gecko in 1987. He first called it Phyllodactylus marmoratus alexanderi. Later, it was given its current name, Christinus alexanderi. The first example of this gecko that scientists studied was found in Eucla.
What It Looks Like
This gecko looks a lot like another common gecko called the Christinus marmoratus. However, you can tell them apart by looking at the scales near their nose and chin.
Christinus alexanderi also has patterns that look similar to the Gehyra variegata, which is another lizard found in the same area. But the Gehyra variegata has claws on all its toes, which helps tell them apart. Alexander's marbled gecko has many different colors and patterns. These geckos often hide under rocks.
Reproduction
Male Alexander's marbled geckos are ready to mate from January to May. However, the females do not lay their eggs until spring, usually from September to October. Scientists believe that the female geckos can store sperm during the winter months.
Where It Lives
This gecko is found only in the Nullarbor Plain in Australia. It lives in most parts of this region. This includes areas with coastal limestone and mallee woodlands, which are types of forests with small, bushy trees.
