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Difference between U. henkeli and U fimbriatus?

Amanda E Jul 17, 2003 12:20 PM

It seems to me, from what I've read and seen that these 2 geckos are basically the same except for the difference in size and the eyes.

It this correct for the most part?

When I look at photos of both of them I can't tell them apart unless I look at the eyes. Is this the only significant difference in distinguishing them?

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1.0 '01 Hypo snow cornsnake (Tesla)
0.1 '02 Ghost (pastel) cornsnake (Banshee)
1.1 '02 Bloodred cornsnakes (Desi and Luci Too)
0.0.3 Goldfish (Kabuki, Isamu, and Yuki)
1.0 American Eskimo mutt (Rusty)

Replies (3)

uromastyx Jul 17, 2003 01:56 PM

I was going to post the exact same question today! I have a pair of 'Henkeli' but I think that they may be Fibriatus, but I'd like to know how to tell the difference, also if size is an indicator, what if the fimbriatuis are young, they'll look the same as adult Henkeli?

mountain_goat Jul 17, 2003 07:45 PM

As far as I know, the best way to tell the difference right away is by their eyes-- U. fimbriatus have very distinctive vertical-ish brick red /brown stripes in their eyes, while the eyes of U. henkeli do not, and just have an evenly distributed mesh of thin brick red/brown squiggly lines. Hope that helps.
Jon

Reptiluvr Jul 18, 2003 10:04 AM

Size and eye color are a definite difference. U. fimbriatus are larger at adult size, often as much as 4 inches larger give-or-take. The eyes of U. fimbriatus are very cryptic with distinct red veins running through the eyeball. Their eyes are like the irritated eyes in the "Clear Eyes" commercials with Ben Stein.
The pattern between U. henkeli and U. fimbriatus are different but I can't explain how. I don't keep either species but have seen great numbers of both. I can't explain it other than after awhile you get an "eye" for it and can tell the difference.
Other than that I can't think of any other physical differences offhand to distinguish them.
They do come from different locales in Madagascar. U. fimbriatus is much more widespread and I think their ranges may overlap in just a few places. I'm a bit rusty on that info so don't quote me.
Robert Gundy Reptiles

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