Böhme's gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Böhme's gecko |
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| Conservation status | |
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Tarentola
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| Species: |
boehmei
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Böhme's gecko (Tarentola boehmei) is a cool type of lizard. People also call it the Morocco wall gecko. It's part of the family called Phyllodactylidae. This gecko lives in western North Africa. You can find it in rocky places like cliffs and walls. It also likes old buildings and even cities!
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Why is it Called Böhme's Gecko?
The name boehmei and the common name "Böhme's gecko" honor a German scientist. His name was Wolfgang Böhme. He was a herpetologist, which means he studied reptiles and amphibians.
What Does Böhme's Gecko Look Like?
Böhme's gecko is a medium-sized lizard. Its body, from its snout to where its tail begins, is about 7.5 cm (3.0 in) long. With its tail, it can be around 11 cm (4.3 in) long in total.
Special Features
- Its eyes have a pupil that looks like a thin, vertical line.
- It doesn't have eyelids that close. Instead, a clear membrane covers its eye.
- The tips of its toes are wide and flat.
- It has unique bumps on its sides. These bumps are arranged in a special circle shape.
- The gecko's nostrils are joined together on its snout.
Where Does Böhme's Gecko Live?
You can find Böhme's gecko in southern Morocco. It also lives in northern Western Sahara. Scientists think it might also be found in Algeria and Mauritania.
Specific Locations
In Morocco, it lives in places like Tazzarine. It's also found in the southern part of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Other spots include the Draa River Valley and Jebel Bani, which is a smaller mountain range.
What Kind of Habitat Does it Prefer?
Böhme's gecko naturally lives in dry areas. These include subtropical or tropical dry shrublands and rocky places. But it's also happy living in gardens in the countryside. You can even spot it in urban areas, like towns and cities!
Reproduction
Böhme's gecko is an oviparous animal. This means that the female gecko lays eggs.
Is Böhme's Gecko in Danger?
This gecko lives in a somewhat small area. However, it is quite common in many of those places. It can handle changes to its habitat well. The number of these geckos seems to be staying steady. Scientists haven't found any big threats to them. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means it's not currently in danger.
