Crenadactylus pilbarensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crenadactylus pilbarensis |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Crenadactylus
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| Species: |
pilbarensis
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Crenadactylus pilbarensis is a super tiny gecko that lives in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It's a special kind of gecko because it doesn't have claws! It looks a lot like other geckos in its group, called Crenadactylus. These little geckos are found all over Australia, but Crenadactylus pilbarensis has been living in the northwest for a very long time.
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Discovering the Pilbara Clawless Gecko
Before 2016, scientists didn't know that Crenadactylus pilbarensis was its own unique species. They thought it was just a type of another gecko. But in 2016, scientists looked closely at the Crenadactylus group. They found that this gecko was different enough to be called a brand new species!
What's in a Name?
The name pilbarensis comes from the Pilbara craton, which is the only place this gecko has been found. It's a big, rocky area in northwest Australia. A common name for this gecko is the Pilbara clawless gecko.
What Does It Look Like?
This gecko is very small. It has cool stripes along its body that are light and dark, making it easy to spot. One special thing about Crenadactylus pilbarensis is a large scale under its chin. This helps scientists tell it apart from other geckos.
Where Does It Live?
The Pilbara clawless gecko lives in dry, rocky areas. You can find it in stony gullies and on the slopes of hills. It likes to hide among plants like Spinifex and Triodia, which grow in big, spiky mounds. These geckos are often found near rocky outcrops in the Pilbara region.
Its home range goes beyond the main Pilbara area. It has also been seen on the Burrup Peninsula and even on Dolphin Island.
Is It Endangered?
The Pilbara clawless gecko is listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). This means it's not currently considered threatened or endangered. Even though it's a new species and scientists are still learning about it, there don't seem to be many things that threaten it right now.
Wildfires might affect small areas where these geckos live. However, because they are found over a wide area, a fire in one spot probably won't harm the whole population. This wide distribution helps protect the species from big changes in its environment.
Good news! C. pilbarensis lives in two areas that are protected by law: Karlamilyi National Park and Meentheena Conservation Reserve. These parks help keep their homes safe.
