Boettger's wall gecko facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boettger's wall gecko |
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Tarentola
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| Species: |
boettgeri
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The Boettger's wall gecko (Tarentola boettgeri) is a small, interesting lizard. People also call it the Gran Canaria gecko. It belongs to the Phyllodactylidae family of geckos.
This gecko is naturally found on the Canary Islands and the Savage Islands. There are three different types, or subspecies, of Boettger's wall gecko.
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What's in a Name?
The scientific name, boettgeri, honors a German scientist named Oskar Boettger. He studied reptiles and amphibians.
One of the subspecies is named bischoffi. This name honors another German scientist, Wolfgang Bischoff. He also studied reptiles.
Where Do They Live?
Boettger's wall geckos are found in specific places. The main type, T. b. boettgeri, lives on Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Another type, T. b. hierrensis, lives on El Hierro, also in the Canary Islands.
There are also some of these geckos in Galicia, Spain. They were brought there by people, so they are not native to that area. The third type, T. b. bischoffi, lives on the Savage Islands.
Their Homes
These geckos like certain kinds of places to live. They often live in areas with small bushes and plants. You can also find them in rocky places or along rocky shores. Sometimes, they even live in gardens in the countryside.
How They Have Babies
Boettger's wall geckos are oviparous. This means the female gecko lays eggs. The baby geckos hatch from these eggs.
Different Types of Boettger's Wall Gecko
There are three recognized subspecies of this gecko. Each one is a slightly different version of the same species.
- Tarentola boettgeri bischoffi Joger, 1984
- Tarentola boettgeri boettgeri Steindachner, 1891
- Tarentola boettgeri hierrensis Joger & Bischoff, 1983
