Lizards > Geckos > Cederberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko

Geckos (Gekkonidae; geitjies)

Cederberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko / Sederberg Dwerg-blaartoongeitjie

Goggia hexapora

Size A very small gecko with a snout-vent length of only 25-35 mm.

Description It is very similar to the striped dwarf leaf-toed gecko, but can be distinguished from it by its more flattened head and body. A fine dark line runs from the nostril through the eye and onto the side of the head. The tail is slightly longer than the body, spotted or with vague dark crossbands. Males usually have six preanal pores. The back is light brown and can be heavily stippled within dark brown or can have a pale-centered scaloped or reticulate pattern. The belly is off-white and finely stippled.

Biology Its flattened body suggests that the Cederberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko is, unlike the striped dwarf leaf-toed gecko, a rock-living species, sheltering in narrow cracks and crevices. It is nocturnal and emerges at sunset to feed on small insects. It is preyed upon by scorpions and other geckos. The tail is easily shed in defense and will be regenerated. Females normally lay a clutch of two eggs in early summer and a second clutch in late summer.

Distribution The Cederberg Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko has a very restricted range in South Africa and occurs from the Bokkeveld Mountains in the north through the Cederberg to the Klein Drakenstein Mountains near Wellington.

Distribution in the GCBC A near endemic to the Corridor. Probably occurs throughout the Corridor.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None identified.

Current studies None. Recent studies include:

BAUER, A.M., GOOD, D.A., & BRANCH, W.R. 1997. The taxonomy of the southern African leaf-toed geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with a review of Old World “ Phyllodactylus ” and the description of five new genera. Proceedings of the California Academy of Science 49: 447-497.