East Indian leopard gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Indian leopard gecko |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eublepharis
|
| Species: |
hardwickii
|
The East Indian leopard gecko (Eublepharis hardwickii) is a fascinating type of gecko. It is also known as Hardwicke's gecko. This lizard belongs to the family called Eublepharidae. You can find this special gecko only in India and Bangladesh.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The scientific name, hardwickii, honors an English naturalist. His name was Thomas Hardwicke.
Meet the East Indian Leopard Gecko
This gecko has a strong, sturdy body. Its legs are quite short. The toes are also short. Its snout is about as long as the space between its eye and ear opening. The ear opening is large and shaped like an oval.
Scales and Markings
The gecko's head has many irregular, flat scales. It also has raised bumps on its temples and the back of its head. The body is covered with small, flat scales. There are also many round, cone-shaped bumps. These bumps are larger than the spaces between them.
Male geckos have 14 to 18 special pores near their tail. The tail is thick and rounded. It tapers, or gets thinner, at the end. The tail has rings of small, flat scales and rows of larger bumps. The underside of the tail has bigger, flat scales.
Colors and Patterns
These geckos are usually reddish-brown and cream-colored. The reddish-brown color covers the head. It also forms two wide bands across the back. The front band is the widest. There are also three reddish-brown rings around the tail.
The cream color outlines the upper lip. It forms a horseshoe shape that goes across the neck. This color also fills the spaces between the brown bands on the back and tail. The underside of the gecko is white.
Some geckos are pale reddish-white. Their heads, from nose to neck, are deep brown or black. They have two very wide brown or black bands across their body. There are also three or four rings around their tail. The brown parts often have black edges. These brown parts are wider than the lighter background color. Their limbs are reddish-olive with black dots on the elbows and knees.
How Big Do They Get?
The East Indian leopard gecko can grow to be about 8 to 9 inches long. This is about 20 to 23 centimeters.
Where Do They Live?
You can find the East Indian leopard gecko in eastern India and Bangladesh. Some specific places include the Anaimalai Hills and Odisha in India. They were first found in a place called Chittagong.
Finding Them in the Wild
In the 1970s, these geckos were common in a village called Tikerpada. This village is about 600 meters high. It is located near the Mahanadi river in the Satkoshia Gorge Sanctuary.
At night, especially in summer and during rains, you might see them on forest roads. They also appear in open areas. During the day, many geckos hide under rocks and stones.
Life of a Leopard Gecko
East Indian leopard geckos are shy creatures. If you pick them up gently, they usually stay calm. They eat a variety of insects. They find their food by sensing movement.
Eating Habits
In captivity, these geckos do not drink water from a bowl. Instead, they wait for water drops to fall on their heads. They also lick drops from nearby surfaces. Their tongue is pinkish-red, flat, and thin. They can even extend it to lick their eyes and head!
Eggs and Babies
Female geckos lay one or two leathery eggs. These eggs are about 20 by 10 millimeters in size. They bury their eggs in the soil to keep them safe.
Local Beliefs
In Odisha, the East Indian leopard gecko is called Kalakuta Sapa. This name means "one which brings the message of death, and snake." Local people believe these geckos are very poisonous. They also think the geckos can climb trees. They believe that the higher the gecko climbs after a bite, the stronger the poison becomes. However, these geckos are not actually highly poisonous.
Sounds They Make
When surprised, the East Indian leopard gecko makes a loud, vibrating noise.
Images for kids
-
An East Indian leopard gecko.
