Central Uplands clawless gecko facts for kids
Crenadactylus horni, also known as the Central Uplands clawless gecko, is a special type of gecko. This small reptile lives only in the central desert areas of Australia. It's called "clawless" because, unlike many geckos, it doesn't have claws on its toes.
Quick facts for kids Central Uplands clawless gecko |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Crenadactylus
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| Species: |
horni
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How it Got its Name
This gecko was first described by two scientists, Arthur H. S. Lucas and Charles Frost, in 1895. They named it Ebenavia horni at first, thinking it was related to a clawless gecko found in Madagascar.
The name horni was chosen to honor William Austin Horn. He was a pastoralist (someone who raises livestock) who sponsored a scientific trip called the Horn expedition. This expedition explored central Australia and found the first example of this gecko.
Later, scientists realized it was a different kind of gecko and placed it in the Crenadactylus group. For a while, it was thought to be a subspecies of another gecko, but now it's recognized as its own unique species. The very first specimen was found in a place called Charlotte Waters in the Northern Territory.
What it Looks Like and Where it Lives
The Central Uplands clawless gecko is a small but sturdy gecko. It can grow up to about 34.8 millimeters (about 1.4 inches) long from its snout to its tail base. Its body is mostly tan and pale brown. It has darker stripes that run along its body, making it easy to spot.
This gecko loves to live in Spinifex mounds. Spinifex is a type of tough, spiky grass that grows in the dry, central parts of Australia. These mounds provide shelter and a good place for the geckos to hide.
Scientists believe that Crenadactylus horni became separated from its closest relatives a very long time ago, possibly twenty to thirty million years ago. This happened as Australia's climate became much drier. The gecko survived by living in small, isolated areas that still had the right conditions, even as the surrounding land became too dry for its relatives.
In Spanish: Gecko sin garras de las tierras altas centrales para niños
