Goniurosaurus hainanensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Goniurosaurus hainanensis |
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| Goniurosaurus hainanensis | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Eublepharidae |
| Genus: | Goniurosaurus |
| Species: |
G. hainanensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Goniurosaurus hainanensis Barbour, 1908
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| Synonyms | |
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Goniurosaurus lichtenfelderi hainanensis |
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Goniurosaurus hainanensis, also known as the Chinese cave gecko or Hainan Cave Gecko, is a special type of gecko that only lives on Hainan Island in China. These geckos are nocturnal, which means they are most active at night. They are also endemic to Hainan, meaning they are found nowhere else naturally. Sadly, buying and selling these rare geckos as pets has caused their numbers to drop in the wild. However, in recent years, their population has become more stable.
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What Makes Hainan Cave Geckos Special?
These geckos can grow to be over 23 centimetres (9 in) long, though they often average around 8.5 inches (22 cm). You can usually find them on rocky areas or on the forest floor. They have big red eyes, which can be maroon or crimson, and they have eyelids that can move, just like the more common leopard gecko. Both are part of the gecko family called Eublepharidae.
How Do They Look?
Hainan Cave Geckos are usually gray with black spots and bright yellow or orange bands on their backs. As some geckos get older, they might lose their bright colors and become almost completely gray. Their bellies are usually a light, see-through white color. They have five clawed fingers on each foot, which helps them climb easily on rocks and rainforest cliffs.
Where Do They Live and What Do They Eat?
These geckos prefer places with high humidity and cooler temperatures, usually between 22–25 °C (72–77 °F). Unlike some other geckos, Goniurosaurus geckos do not have sticky toe pads. Their main food source is small bugs like Cockroaches, crickets, and other insects.
Can You Keep Hainan Cave Geckos as Pets?
Since the 1990s, you can sometimes find these geckos at reptile shows or online pet stores. They are the only Goniurosaurus species that is commonly available as a pet. It's important that pet geckos are captive bred, meaning they were born and raised in human care, not taken from the wild. This helps protect wild populations from becoming endangered. In 2019, the G. hainanensis was found to have a stable population, unlike some other Goniurosaurus species that are more at risk.
Caring for a Pet Hainan Cave Gecko
Most home climates are not perfect for these geckos, so they need daily misting to keep their environment humid. They are quite shy and need lots of places to hide and enough space to move around. You will rarely see them during the day, but they can get used to a little bit of gentle handling. They do well living in small groups, but it's best to keep only one male per group, as males can be territorial and fight. A common problem for these geckos is difficulty with shedding their skin, which can sometimes be a serious issue.
