Flat-tailed house gecko
Oviparous (implied by clutch size)
The flat-tailed house gecko, also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species native to southeastern and southern Asia. It is characterized by patagia, or flaps of skin, along its trunk, tail, and hind limbs, which aid in gliding. This gecko is often found in the pet trade and is easily identified by these distinctive skin flaps.
Key Facts
- ›Possesses patagia (skin flaps) on its body and limbs used for gliding.
- ›Native to southeastern and southern Asia, with introduced populations in Florida.
- ›Distinguished by a depressed body and a flattened tail with a denticulated lateral edge.
- ›Commonly found in the pet trade, often identified simply as 'house gecko'.
- ›Requires frequent misting and insect prey for maintenance in terrariums.
Frilled House Gecko, Asian House Gecko
Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Usa
- Body Is Depressed.
- Covered Above With Uniform Small Granules.
- Has Dermal Expansions From Axilla To Groin and Along the Posterior Side of the Hind Limb.
- Ventral Scales Are Cycloid and Imbricate.
- Males Have An Uninterrupted Series of 34–36 Femoral Pores.
- Tail Is Depressed and Flat Inferiorly, With A Sharp Denticulated Lateral Edge.
- Tail Is Covered Above With Uniform Small Granules and Below With A Median Series of Transversely Dilated Plates.
- Limbs Are Moderate and Depressed.
- Digits Are Strongly Dilated and About Half-Webbed.
- 3 To 6 Lamellae Under the Inner Digits, 7 To 9 Under the Median Digits.
- Coloration Is Grey Above, Marbled With Darker Grey, Often With A Dark Streak From Eye To Shoulder.
- Lower Parts Are White.
Insect Prey, Feeder Lizard For Snakes
Employs Patagia For Gliding., Found In the Pet Trade., Requires Frequent Misting., Not Easy To Handle.
About Flat-tailed house gecko
The flat-tailed house gecko, scientifically known as Hemidactylus platyurus, is a species of gecko native to southeastern and southern Asia. This species is also commonly referred to as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko. A distinctive characteristic of this gecko is the presence of patagia, which are flaps of skin along its trunk, tail, and hind limbs. These expansions of fat are utilized for gliding, similar to other gliding gecko species.
Identification and Description
The flat-tailed house gecko exhibits a depressed body shape. Its dorsal surface is covered in uniform small granules, while the ventral scales are cycloid and imbricate. A notable feature is the dermal expansion extending from the axilla to the groin, as well as along the posterior side of the hind limb. The tail is depressed and flat on its underside, featuring a sharp, denticulated lateral edge. The limbs are of moderate length and also depressed. The digits are strongly dilated and approximately half-webbed, with specific numbers of lamellae under the inner and median digits. Coloration typically includes grey above, marbled with darker grey, often with a dark streak running from the eye to the shoulder, while the lower parts are white. Adult males possess an uninterrupted series of 34–36 femoral pores.
Distribution and Habitat
This gecko is found across a wide geographic range in Asia, including countries such as India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Burma, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Notably, it has also been introduced and established in Florida, USA. While specific habitat types are not detailed, its common name suggests an association with human dwellings and surrounding environments.
In Captivity and as a Pet
The flat-tailed house gecko is frequently encountered in the pet trade, often identified simply as 'house gecko'. Its unique skin flaps make it distinguishable from other geckos sold under the same common name. Maintaining these geckos in a terrarium is considered relatively straightforward, requiring frequent misting and a diet of insect prey. However, they are not typically easy to handle. In some instances, this species is also utilized as a feeder lizard for certain snake species, particularly for Asian green vine snakes (Ahaetulla prasina).
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the distinctive physical features of the flat-tailed house gecko?
The flat-tailed house gecko is easily identified by the flaps of skin, known as patagia, along its sides, trunk, and hind limbs, which assist in gliding. It also has a depressed body and a tail that is flattened inferiorly with a sharp, denticulated lateral edge.
What is the geographic range of the flat-tailed house gecko?
This species is native to a wide area of southeastern and southern Asia, including countries like India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It has also been introduced to Florida in the United States.
Is the flat-tailed house gecko suitable as a pet?
Yes, the flat-tailed house gecko is frequently found in the pet trade. They are relatively easy to maintain in a terrarium with regular misting and insect prey, though they are not considered easy to handle.
What is the diet of the flat-tailed house gecko?
The diet of the flat-tailed house gecko primarily consists of insect prey. They are also sometimes used as feeder lizards for certain snake species, particularly Asian green vine snakes.
How can the flat-tailed house gecko glide?
The flat-tailed house gecko glides using patagia, which are expansions of skin along its trunk, tail, and femoral region. These skin flaps allow it to glide through the air, similar to other gliding geckos.
Related Lizards
Tiliqua scincoides
The Common Blue-tongued Lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) is a large, terrestrial skink native to Australia and Tanimbar Island. Known for its distinctive blue tongue, which it uses to startle predators, this species is diurnal and omnivorous, feeding on insects, small animals, and plant matter. They are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young, and can live for over 30 years, adapting well to urban environments.
Cosymbotus platyurus
The flat-tailed house gecko, also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species native to southeastern and southern Asia, sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus. It is characterized by patagia, or skin flaps, on its trunk, tail, and hind legs, which aid in gliding. This gecko is often found in the pet trade and is identifiable by these distinctive skin folds, resembling a miniature flying gecko.
Hemidactylus mabouia
The tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) is a small lizard native to sub-Saharan Africa, now widespread in the Americas and Caribbean due to human introduction. Characterized by its ability to change color based on temperature and light, it possesses specialized toe lamellae for climbing vertical surfaces. This nocturnal hunter primarily inhabits urban environments, preying on a variety of insects and small invertebrates.