Jewelled Gecko

About the Jewelled Gecko

Strophurus elderi, also known commonly as the jewelled gecko, is a terrestrial, nocturnal species of gecko, a lizard in the family Diplodactylidae. Previously classified within the genus Diplodactylus, S. elderi is one of 22 geckos belonging to the genus Strophurus. The species is endemic to the arid regions of central and north-western Australia.

The specific name, elderi, is in honor of Scottish-Australian philanthropist Thomas Elder. S. elderi is a dark-coloured, soft-bodied, and moderately sized lizard from the family Diplodactylidae – measuring 65-75mm or 45mm from snout to vent. The tail is fleshy and moderate, equating to 55% of the snout-vent length. Dorsal colours are dark brown to velvety grey with scattered dark-edged white spots corresponding to enlarged tubercules (rosette of scales with an enlarged central scale). The ventral colouring is dirty white with darker and paler flecks and spots. Eyes are brown-grey with a vertical slit and are covered by a transparent convex disc which is cleaned and moistened regularly using their broad, fleshy mobile tongue. The eye cover is shed periodically along with the outer skin layer. Digits feature... Wikipedia →