Banded Velvet Gecko
Homopholis fasciata
Silhouette: Jose Carlos Arenas-Monroy · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyGekkonidae (Typical Geckos)
- GenusHomopholis (African Velvet Geckos)
- SpeciesHomopholis fasciata (Banded Velvet Gecko)
About the Banded Velvet Gecko
Homopholis fasciata, a nocturnal vertebrate known as the banded velvet gecko or striped velvet gecko, is a small gecko that lives in East Africa. Homopholis fasciata are small geckos with soft, velvet-like skin. They have short, rounded heads and long, thin non-tapering tails. Their body shape is stout with a bunt and toes that have both adhesive pads and claws. Their skin ranges from green, greys and browns with a chevron-like pattern down the back. They grow to 3½"–4½" and are known to bite. They are very common in both urban and rural areas and although they can bite they rarely ever do as their main defence is to play dead rather than to defend or attack. Although not known how long this gecko can play dead for it is not uncommon for them to be motionless for two to three days whilst they still feel under threat. The gecko is prey to snakes but in urban areas domestic cats attack and kill these lovely little reptiles that can be seen often scaling walls and running around gardens during the day. This gecko does not mind daylight but does hide in shaded places during midday when the sun is at its highest.
Homopholis fasciata occur... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Banded Velvet Gecko in Ruaha National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ruaha National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ruaha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania |
More parks will be added in future updates.