Namib Giant Ground Gecko

About the Namib Giant Ground Gecko

Chondrodactylus angulifer, also known as the common giant ground gecko, the South African ground gecko, or the Namib sand gecko, is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to southern Africa.

Chondrodactylus angulifer is found in Namibia, southernmost Botswana, and western South Africa. Chondrodactylus angulifer is a medium sized gecko. Adults average 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL). The record size is a male 11.3 cm (4.4 in) SVL.

An adult female C. angulifer may lay a clutch of one or two eggs. The eggs are almost spherical, 18 by 16 mm (0.71 by 0.63 in). Each hatchling is approximately 7 cm (2.8 in) total length (including tail). There are two subspecies which are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.

Chondrodactylus angulifer subsp. angulifer W. Peters, 1870 Chondrodactylus angulifer subsp. namibensis Haacke, 1976 Haacke WD (1976). "The burrowing geckos of southern Africa, 4 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). Annotated taxonomic account (cont.) E. Genus Chondrodactylus Peters". Annals of the... Wikipedia →