Paroedura vahiny facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paroedura vahiny |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Gekkonidae |
| Genus: | Paroedura |
| Species: |
P. vahiny
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| Binomial name | |
| Paroedura vahiny Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 2000
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| Approximate distribution of Paroedura vahiny | |
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Paroedura vahiny is a type of lizard that belongs to the Gekkonidae family, which includes geckos. This small gecko is active at night (it's nocturnal). It lives on the ground or climbs a little bit onto plants. You can only find this gecko in the dry forests of southwest Madagascar.
Scientists first officially described this species in the year 2000. They found the first specimens in 1996. Later, they realized an older specimen from 1969 was also this same gecko. Paroedura vahiny is quite small. It measures only about 4.2 centimeters (1.7 inches) from its snout to the base of its tail.
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Discovering the Newcomer Gecko
The species Paroedura vahiny was officially named in 2000. The very first adult female gecko used to describe the species was found in Dabara Forest, Toliara Province, on January 27, 1996.
However, scientists later found out that a gecko collected much earlier, on January 23, 1969, was also this species. This older gecko is now kept at the Paris Museum of Natural History. The name vahiny comes from the Malagasy language. It means "newcomer" or "stranger," which is a fitting name for a species that was new to science!
Where the Gecko Lives
This gecko lives only in Madagascar. It can be found in the dry forests in the southern and southwestern parts of the island. Scientists have mostly found these geckos at night. This shows they are active when it's dark. They can be seen on the ground or climbing just a few inches up plants.
The area where this lizard lives is quite large, covering about 42,726 square kilometers (16,497 square miles). It lives at different heights, from 30 meters (98 feet) to 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. When it was first discovered, it was only known from Dabara Forest and a nearby town called Manja. But later surveys found it in other places like Kirindy, Mikea, Tsimanampetsotsa, and Isalo.
What the Gecko Looks Like
Paroedura vahiny is a small gecko. The first gecko used to describe the species was 4.2 centimeters (1.7 inches) long from its snout to the base of its tail. Its head is oval-shaped and flat on top. It's wider than its neck but not as wide as its body.
A special feature of P. vahiny is its scales. Unlike most geckos in its group, it has scales with many ridges (called "multicarinate scales") on its underside. Its body looks mostly smooth. It has small, bumpy scales scattered across its back.
The top and sides of this gecko are dark brown. It has three faint M- or W-shaped bands across its body. The band in front of its back legs is the easiest to see. Its tail is dark with lighter bands. The underside of its jaw, chin, and throat have brown patterns over a light background. The belly and legs are a "dirty white" color, meaning white with many tiny brown spots.
Threats to the Gecko
In 2010, the IUCN Red List looked at Paroedura vahiny. They decided it was a species of "Least Concern." This means its population is not thought to be dropping very quickly. However, they also said that more research is needed. Scientists need to find out how fast its numbers might be going down. The gecko might need to be re-evaluated in the future.
The dry forests where this lizard lives are in danger. People are cutting down trees, burning parts of the forest, and using the land for farming. These activities can break up the gecko's habitat into smaller, separate areas. This makes it harder for the geckos to find food and mates.
