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Anyone know what kind of gecko this is?

ghardin Jun 09, 2003 02:29 PM

A friend found it in a cargo shipment from Taiwan. The container was sealed over there 2 months ago, and not opened until today.

Replies (4)

ghardin Jun 09, 2003 02:43 PM

Common house gecko - Hemidactylus frenatus?

This page describes the spiked tail

Chinmay Kanchi Jun 10, 2003 01:47 AM

It sure looks like a H.frenatus from the picture. One thing to check for is the reduced first digit on each limb. It looks like it is reduced from the picture, but photographs can play tricks on you. If you want a confirmed identification, you'll have to count the lamellae under the first and the fourth toes (they should be divided) as well as supralabials and infralabials. If you post those counts here, I'll be able to tell you for sure whether it's H.frenatus or not.
Chinmay Kanchi

ghardin Jun 10, 2003 11:10 AM

The first digit on every foot is definitely reduced. The lamellae are definitely divided. I tried to count them but it had other ideas. I tried taking a close-up pic with him on a sheet of plexiglass to do the count, but it doesn't 'stick' too well (keeps sliding back down) and he won't stand still for a pic from below. The exact species/subspecies isn't really all that important... I was just curious. Hemipenal bulges are very evident so I'm assuming it's a male. Since it can't be returned to it's natural habitat, I just wanted to gather some basic care information. I have a feeling that my friend's interest will fade quickly (like it did with his gerbils and then his tortoise) and I'll eventually end up being the one taking care of it.

Spawn Jun 11, 2003 12:29 AM

Hello Everyone:
I think the animal in the picture is an Indo-Pacific House Gecko (Hemidactylus garnoti). I have one and this one looks almost exactly like it. They are very hardy and can live quite a long time.
Have a Great Day!!!

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