Geckos
There are about 750 species of geckos in the world and roughly 90 of these occur in Australia. West Australia has more than 60 species of these lizards.
Geckos are small to moderately large, nocturnal lizards belonging to the family Gekkonidae. They do not have eyelids and the eye is protected by a transparent scale, which they clean by licking with their broad fleshy tongue.The tail is fragile and they will drop this tail if attacked or molested.
Geckos rarely drink from bodies of water. Preferring to lick dew or rain drops from leaves and off the ground. Most of their water requirements are obtained from their food.
Some terrestrial geckos have small claws and may dig burrows, while many arboreal species have specialized toe pads that enable them to climb smooth vertical surfaces.
BARKING GECKO
(Underwoodisaurus milii)
Description:
The thick-tailed or barking gecko grows to a total length of about 12-14cm long. The barking gecko has white belly with a dark brown almost purplish body colour with scattered white and yellow spots.This nocturnal lizard has large prominent eyes and a fat leaf-like tail.
Range & Habitat:
Widespread throughout the south-west (except the far southwest corner). The Barking gecko inhabits a variety of habitats including, dry forrests, woodlands, shrublands and particularly those areas associated with rock outcrops. It shelters beneath rocks, bark, fallen timber and in burrows.
Diet:
These lizards will feed on a broad range of small invertebrates such as insects and spiders.
Comments:
This rather comical looking gecko has a very impressive defensive display.When threatened, these lizards will inflate their body with air , stand on their toes, waving the tail from side to side. Then lunging themselves at the threat and emitting a croaky bark at the same time. This behaviour is how the animal earned its common name .
KNOB-TAILED GECKO
( Nephrurus sp)
Description:
Few reptiles have the same appeal as the knob-tailed gecko. The tiny tail ending in a little round knob about half the size of a pea, the large beautifully patterned eyes and the face displaying a permanent smile all contribute to the character of this little lizard. The centralian knob-tail is the largest of the group reaching a total length of over 15cm, of which the tail comprises no more than about 3cm. The general body colour is a reddish-brown to match the colour of the red sands of its home. This is overlaid with lighter bands and white dots.
Range & Habitat:
This knob-tail is restricted to the rocky plains of central Australia, sheltering during the day beneath boulders or in the disused burrows of other animals, emerging at night to forage on open ground.
Diet:
Insects, spiders and scorpions are the main diet but it does have a taste for other smaller geckos given the opportunity.
Comments:
Nobody really knows the function of the tail knob. When examined closely the cells inside appear very different from any others in the body and they may have some type of sensory role. When hunting, the little gecko wriggles the knob from side to side when it spots prey as if it is excited about its next meal.
SPINYTAILED GECKO
(Strophurus sp)
Description:
About 6 species of spinytailed gecko are native to W.A.. They may be found in most habitats across the state , but are more common in coastal environments. They are known to squirt a sticky fluid from their tails to deter predators.
