Reptile & Amphibian Forums

when is the best time to look for banded geckos. I was thinking of going down to san diego to see some abbotti (san diego bandeds). Do I have a chance this time of year?

It has been my experience that night driving in the Spring is the surest way to find them. They can be found in summer and fall but it is a matter of luck and just involves the occasional single animal. If you find suitable habitat and start flipping ground cover you might fine one. I have heard of them being found on rare occasions during the winter. I guess a few might emerge once in a while on warmer winter days similar to the activity of Side-Blotched and other Lizards.

I currently have two of these geckos myself. I have a female I have had for 3 or 4 years and I caught a young one about a month ago on the apparatus floor of my fire station. They can be very aggressive and cannibalistic to smaller lizards.

I've found a heck of a lot of desert banded geckos in the Las Vegas area. Although I've seen a few while roadhunting, I have found most under rocks, wood, and most of all, man-made debris (trash, boards, cardboard). They favor areas that retain moisture.

Tim

Third Eye

Although I've seen a few while roadhunting, I have found most under rocks, wood, and most of all, man-made debris (trash, boards, cardboard). They favor areas that retain moisture.

Though I've flipped a lot of trash in SoCal, the ONLY geckos I've seen there have been on the road!

Your Vegas variegatus you pictured in your reply looks a lot like my abbotti. I guess that's more fuel for the "no subspecies of C. variegatus" argument.

Nevertheless, I have 1.0 abbotti and my request for some kind soul to gift me a couple of Sheilas for these guys still stands (reimbursing shipping of course).
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I live in las vegas, nv, and i have yet to find one during the day under debris, rocks, or anything. I always see them while cruising. Any spots u know of? I want to take pictures for a website of them during the day, in habitat. I went yesterday and only found a huge collard lizard, and a sidewinder. Thanks for responding guys!

Coleonyx_Corral@yahoo.com

I have found quite a few (at least 20 in one day) in the foothills of Mount Charleston. There is a lot of construction, as well as dilapitated structures in the area. Since there's only one road that goes up the Mountain, it is not hard to find these spots, which are off the main road.

Tim

Hello Guys,

I will be in Vegas this weekend,
How has the herping beed this year in Red Rock canyon and Mt. Charleston?

thanks ! I am going to be doing Red rock tonight..

I live in Cleveland and only get out to Vegas once a year.
Let us know what you find, I've been thinking about adding another trip in the Fall of 2006.

Tim

dont go in the fall. i just went and got almost nothing. i only saw a banded gecko and a baby sidewinder. Usually when i go (late april, may, or early june) I see 20 banded geckos, and numerous snakes. this time there wasn't even a DOR!

alex dietrick
las vegas, nv