Lizards > Geckos > Bibron's Gecko

Geckos (Gekkonidae; geitjies)

Bibron's Gecko / Bibron se Geitjie

Chondrodactylus bibronii

Size Adult snout-vent length ranges from 75-100 mm

Description A strongly built gecko. The tail is about the same length as the body and is segmented, each segment consisting of regular, strongly keeled scales. The dorsal body is covered with large, keeled tubercles, separated by granular scales. The middle toes have 10-12 transverse lamellae underneath.

It is olive to grey-brown in colour with 4-5 indistinct dark, wavy crossbands and scattered white spots. A dark band goes from the snout over each eye to the back of the head. The tail has 8-10 white bands, which is prominent in juveniles, but fade in adults. The belly is white.

Biology Bibron's gecko is one of the largest geckos in southern Africa. It is also one of the most common geckos in the dry western parts of the country. It is well-known to farmers, as it finds farmhouses and outbuildings particularly attractive to live in. It is, however, often regarded a nuisance as its faecies and urine sticking to the walls may become an eyesore. Bibron's gecko is gregarious and often lives in large groups of up to 15 individuals. Little is known of the social structure in these groups. Like most other geckos, it is mainly nocturnal, but is often seen basking in the opening of a crevice during day time. It is rockdwelling, but may sometimes also shelter under loose tree bark. Two eggs are laid in rock cracks during spring and the babies hatch in late summer. A second clutch is laid during December-January, which hatches during early autumn. Bibron's gecko will eat any invertebrate it can subdue and will even eat other small lizards. It is an aggressive species and will always try to bite when handled. Like most geckos, the tail is easily shed during encounters with predators.

Distribution Northern and Western Cape reaching southern Namibia in the north and the Free Stare and the Eastern Cape in the east.

Distribution in the GCBC Probably occurs throughout the Corridor.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None identified.

Current studies Anita Meyer, completed in 2005 an honours study on aggregation in this species at the Department of Botany & Zoology, Stellenbosch University. M.Sc. student Simon Capon is currently investigating aggregation and aggressive behaviour in this species.