Eublepharis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eublepharis Temporal range: Pleistocene - Recent
Satpura leopard gecko (Eublepharis satpuraensis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Eublepharidae
Genus:	Eublepharis Gray, 1827
Species
Eublepharis angramainyu Eublepharis fuscus Eublepharis hardwickii Eublepharis macularius Eublepharis pictus Eublepharis satpuraensis Eublepharis turcmenicus

Eublepharis is a fascinating group of geckos that live on land. You can find them in parts of eastern and southwestern Asia. These geckos are special because, unlike many other geckos, they have fully working eyelids! That's actually where their name comes from: 'eu' means 'good' or 'true,' and 'blephar' means 'eyelid.' A British zoologist named John Edward Gray first described this group in 1827.

Discovering Eyelid Geckos

Eyelid geckos are a unique type of lizard. They are known for their strong bodies and interesting skin. These geckos are mostly active at night, which means they are nocturnal. They spend their days resting and come out to hunt when the sun goes down.

What Makes Eublepharis Special?

These geckos have a sturdy build. Their tails are usually shorter than their bodies, from their nose to where their tail begins. Their skin is covered with many small, bumpy spots, which gives them a cool texture.

One very important thing about Eublepharis geckos is that they cannot climb smooth surfaces. Unlike many of their gecko cousins, they do not have sticky pads on their toes. This means they prefer to stay on the ground. The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a very popular pet from this group.

Meet the Eyelid Gecko Family

There are several different species within the Eublepharis group. Each one has its own unique look and home. Here's a look at some of these amazing geckos:

Image	Scientific Name	Common Name	Where They Live
	Eublepharis angramainyu	Iraqi eyelid gecko	Found in Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and Syria.
	Eublepharis fuscus	West Indian leopard gecko	Lives in western India, possibly extending to southeastern Pakistan.
	Eublepharis hardwickii	East Indian leopard gecko	Found in India and Bangladesh.
	Eublepharis macularius	Common leopard gecko	Lives in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Nepal.
	Eublepharis pictus	Painted leopard gecko	Found only in India.
	Eublepharis satpuraensis	Satpura leopard gecko	Lives in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh.
	Eublepharis turcmenicus	Turkmenistan eyelid gecko	Found in Turkmenistan and northern Iran.

Some other geckos, like those in the Goniurosaurus kuroiwae group, used to be thought of as part of the Eublepharis family. However, scientists later decided they were different and placed them in their own group.