Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the difference between C. v. variegatus and
C. v. utahensis?

Thanks,
alex

Coleonyx variegatus are all Western Bandeds. The difference in subspecies is all about locale -- ie, where its from and the differing environs. Coleonyx variegatus variegatus is the Desert Banded Gecko. From what I know, its usually found in Southern California down to Mexico, Arizona, etc. Coleonyx variegatus utahensis is the Utah Banded Gecko. For collection, these geckos are classified as "controlled". Both are quite hardy little guys, although I have heard less about utahensis being bred or kept in captivity...I think they're just less popular. As for keeping them in captivity, Desert Bandeds can be kept quite like leopard geckos.

I have what I think is a Central American Banded (Coleonyx mitratus)..either that or he's a Belize Banded...I can't tell... and they're a bit different, requiring slightly higher humidity and different substrate(s). He's also a pain in the butt compared to Desert Bandeds (mr picky) and he doesn't just squeak like the others--he can bark pretty loudly!
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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"

thanks for the info. I was asking this because my cats brought in two very different looking banded geckos the other night. One had many tiny freckles, and the other just had several large freckles. I will post pics in a minute. I live in las vegas, and both variegatus and utathensis occur in the area. and then there comes the confusion of intergrades!

I'd like to see pictures...I'm also surprised they weren't eaten completely by the cats -- their skin is so soft.

I was sitting at my computer yesterday and a large alligator lizard literally fell 5 feet out of my (indoor!) Ficus tree and landed on the carpet with a thud. Another "cat present", I think. The little guy was quite confused!

Its always difficult to separate and identify the subspecies of Coleonyx variegatus because of the widespread nature of the species and all the overlap. It seems that Banded geckos are everywhere, just in different variations. I think the tropical and subtropical species might be larger overall. C.v. tend to be a few inches tail at maturity while my C.m. is bigger than that (male).

I've also heard of a Coleonyx variegatus varigatus cross breeding with a Coleonyx variegatus bogerti. This was in 1981 and the eggs apparently hatched.
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Too many Leos
1.0 feline "Spot"
0.1 canine "Tika"