Lizards > Geckos > Marico Thick-toed Gecko

Geckos (Gekkonidae; geitjies)

Marico Thick-toed Gecko / Marico Geitje

Pachydactylus mariquensis

Size A small gecko with adult snout-vent length ranging from 40-50 mm.

Description A slender round-bodied gecko with a short snout and thin legs. The nostril is pierced between three nasals. There are no enlarged tubercles on the back. The adhesive pads of the middle toes have 3-4 transverse lamellae. The tail is cylindrical, unsegmented, and slightly shorter than the body. The back is light-brown in colour with 5-6 irregular dark-brown, dark-edged crossbands, which may break up into irregular blotches, especially on the sides. The crossbars continue onto the tail. The belly is a creamy-white.

Biology This terrestrial gecko occurs on flat sandy plains with sparse vegetation. It is nocturnal and during the day shelters underneath stones or in abandoned scorpion burrows. During warm spring nights they give clicking calls. Females can produce two clutches per year, each consisting of two eggs. The eggs are laid in sandy soil or under stones.

Distribution This gecko has an extensive distribution in the west and central regions of South Africa, with an isolated population in north-western Namibia.

Distribution in the GCBC It probably occurs in lowland areas throughout the corridor.

Conservation status Not listed.

Threats None identified.

Current studies None.