Lizards > Geckos > Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko

Geckos (Gekkonidae; geitjies)

Marbled Leaf-toed Gecko / Gemarmerde Blaartoongeitjie

Afrogecko porphyreus

Size A small gecko with adult snout-vent length ranging from 45-50 mm .

Description The head and body is flattened, an indication that it is a crevice dweller. The nostril is pierced between the rostral and three nasal scales. The calcium stores in the lateral neck region of females are often very prominent. The body is covered with small smooth granular scales. Each toe has a pair of leaf-shaped lamellae. There is often a dark streak from the nostril through the eye. The body is greyish to grayish-brown above, uniform, variegated or marbled with reddish to dark brown. Occasionally, specimens have a white stripe down the middle of the back. The underparts of the body are uniform white.

Biology It is nocturnal and very common at houses in coastal areas of the Western Cape where it is often seen feeding on insects around outdoor lights. It is often regarded as a nuisance because of its faeces sticking to the walls. In nature, its habitat is very varied and it will shelter in any suitable hiding place, from rock crevices to under bark on dead trees. It is particularly common in coastal rock just above the highwater mark. It does not seem to be territorial as a number of individuals often live in the same retreat. Females lay two hard-shelled eggs in early summer and communal egg laying sites are common. The eggs hatch after one and a half to two months .

Distribution It is found in the w estern and southern coastal regions, from Nieuwoudtville to Cape St Francis. It is also present on most of the offshore islands .

Distribution in the GCBC There are only isolated records from the central Cederberg range.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None.

Current studies None