Common Prickly Gecko

About the Common Prickly Gecko

Heteronotia binoei, known commonly as Bynoe's gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae, and is endemic to Australia. One of the continent's least-habitat-specific geckos, it occurs naturally across much of the country, and has also established in areas where it does not occur normally, such as urban Perth, Western Australia. It is dark brown to reddish-brown, depending on the colour of the ground upon which it lives (to which it adapts for camouflaging), as well as irregular light bands with dark edges along its back.

Bynoe's gecko is one of a small number of vertebrate species that are known to reproduce by parthenogenesis, another reptilian example being the mourning gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) of Southeast Asia and Oceania islands (not Australia or New Zealand).

The specific name, binoei, is in honour of British naturalist Benjamin Bynoe (1803–1865), who was a naval surgeon aboard HMS Beagle with Charles Darwin. The Bynoe's gecko is a slender, long-tailed species which may grow to a total length (including tail) of 11–12 cm (4.3–4.7 in). It is covered with small scales which appear to be rough, but are soft to touch. It has slim... Wikipedia →