GeckosBynoe’s Gecko Eastern Tree Dtella Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko

Belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, the Geckos are small lizards, found across the world (usually warm climate zones), except for Antarctica. There are about 1,500 different species worldwide, ranging in size from 1.6 cm to 60 cm.

Mostly carnivorous, the geckos are unique group of lizards known for their vocalisations, that differ between species.

Bynoe's Gecko (Heteronotia binoei), Alice Springs NT
Bynoe’s Gecko (Heteronotia binoei), Alice Springs NT

Most geckos in the family Gekkonidae use chirping or clicking sounds in their social interactions. Other such as the Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) are known for their loud mating calls, whilst other species are capable of making hissing noises when alarmed or threatened. There are about 1,500 species worldwide.

Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus amyae), Nocturnal House, Alice Springs Desert Park, NT
Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus amyae), Nocturnal House, Alice Springs Desert Park, NT

The infraorder Gekkota is divided into seven families, containing about 125 genera of geckos, including the legless pygopods.

Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko's (Strophurus ciliaris), Alice Springs Desert Park
Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko’s (Strophurus ciliaris), Alice Springs Desert Park

  • Scientific classification
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Subphylum: Vertebrata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Subclass: Lepidosauria
  • Order: Squamata
  • Suborder: Sauria
  • Infraorder: Gekkota
  • Family:
    • Carphodactylidae
    • Diplodactylidae
    • Eublepharidae
    • Gekkonidae
    • Phyllodactylidae
    • Pygopodidae
    • Sphaerodactylidae
Northern Giant Cave Gecko (Pseudothecadactylus lindneri), Alice Springs Reptile Centre
Northern Giant Cave Gecko (Pseudothecadactylus lindneri), Alice Springs Reptile Centre

Footnote & References

  1. Gecko, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko
  2. Geckos (Infraorder Gekkota), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/371057-Gekkota
  3. Australasian Geckos (Family Diplodactylidae), iNaturalistAU, https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/85737-Diplodactylidae
  4. Geckos Index, What’s in your backyard?, Kimberley Toad Busters, http://www.canetoads.com.au/Geko.htm

GeckosBynoe’s Gecko Eastern Tree Dtella Southern Spotted Velvet Gecko

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