Psychedelic Rock Gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Psychedelic Rock Gecko |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cnemaspis
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| Species: |
psychedelica
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The psychedelic rock gecko (scientific name: Cnemaspis psychedelica) is a super colorful gecko. It was only discovered by scientists in 2010! This special gecko lives only on Hon Khoai Island and a nearby small island called Hon Tuong Isle in Vietnam. It's an endangered animal, which means there aren't many left in the world.
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About the Psychedelic Rock Gecko
This gecko can grow to be about 7.5 centimeters (around 3 inches) long, not including its tail. Just like its name suggests, it's very brightly colored! You can see shades of yellow, orange, black, and grey-blue on its skin.
Daily Life and Reproduction
This gecko is a diurnal animal, which means it is active during the day. It likes to live among big granite rocks in places with lots of plants. If it gets scared, it will quickly hide in cracks in the rocks or under them. These same spots are also where it sleeps at night.
When it's time to lay eggs, a female gecko usually lays two white eggs. She sticks them to the underside of a rock ledge, usually about 0.3 to 3.5 meters (1 to 11.5 feet) above the ground. Sometimes, several female geckos will use the same spot to lay their eggs. This creates a "communal nest" that can have up to ten eggs!
When the baby geckos first hatch, they are not very colorful. But by the time they are two months old, they start to show the bright colors of the adult geckos.
Protecting This Special Gecko
The psychedelic rock gecko is an endangered species. This is because it lives in a very small area, and there are only a little over 500 adult geckos left. Even though this number seems to be staying steady, it's still a very small population.
Why This Gecko Needs Help
There are a few main reasons why this gecko is in danger:
- Habitat Loss: Even though its home is a protected area, roads are being built, artificial ponds are being made, and new buildings for tourists are going up. This destroys the gecko's natural home.
- Predators: Some animals that were brought to the island, like long-tailed macaques, hunt and eat these geckos.
- Pet Trade: People sometimes try to collect these geckos to sell as pets, even though it's against the law and they are fully protected.
What's Being Done to Help
People are working hard to protect the psychedelic rock gecko:
- Breeding Project: In 2014, a special project started on Hon Khoai Island to breed these geckos in a safe place. This project is supported by the Cologne Zoo in Germany. The first baby geckos from this project hatched in early 2015!
- Ranger Support: Local forest protection teams have been given equipment and posters. These posters help people learn about the gecko's special status and why it needs to be protected.
