Cyrtodactylus deccanensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cyrtodactylus deccanensis |
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| An adult male from Raigad | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Cyrtodactylus |
| Species: |
C. deccanensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Cyrtodactylus deccanensis (Günther, 1864)
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| Synonyms | |
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Gymnodactylus deccanensis Günther, 1864 |
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The Cyrtodactylus deccanensis, also known as the Deccan ground gecko, is a small lizard. It is also called Günther's Indian gecko or the banded ground gecko. This gecko lives in the northern Western Ghats of India. You can find it in northern Maharashtra, and possibly in southern Gujarat.
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What Does the Deccan Ground Gecko Look Like?
The Deccan ground gecko is a small lizard. It measures about 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) from its snout to its tail base. Its tail is a bit shorter, around 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) long.
Colors and Patterns
This gecko has a reddish-brown body. It has thin white bands with black edges across its back. The first band is shaped like a semicircle and goes from one eye to the other. Other bands appear on its shoulders, body, and near its tail. Its tail also has similar white bands that form rings. The underside of its body is whitish.
Skin and Features
Its head is quite large and oval-shaped. The gecko's skin on its head has small, raised bumps. Its body is covered with larger, flat bumps called tubercles. These bumps are arranged in rows across its back. The scales on its belly are smooth and round.
Where Does the Deccan Ground Gecko Live?
The Deccan ground gecko lives in forests. It prefers to stay on the forest floor. This gecko is a nocturnal animal, meaning it is active at night. Because of this, people rarely see it during the day.
Habitat in India
This species is common in the northern Western Ghats mountain range. It has been seen in several places like Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Matheran, and Khandala. It also lives in wildlife sanctuaries such as Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Recently, it was found in the Saputara Hills in Gujarat.
What Does It Eat?
The Deccan ground gecko is an insectivore. This means it eats insects. It hunts for its food on the forest floor at night.
Discovery of the Deccan Ground Gecko
The Deccan ground gecko was first described in 1864. A scientist named Albert Günther officially named this species. He found the first specimen in a region of India called "Deccan."
 | James B. Knighten |
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