Knob-tailed gecko

The genus Nephrurus, collectively referred to as the knob-tailed geckos (or “knob-tails”), comprises several species of small, desert-dwelling, drought-tolerant Australian gecko. They are named for their stubby, knob-like tails, and are also easily identified by their rather large eyes. This adaptation of enlarged eyes is indicative of an animal’s lifestyle being predominantly crepuscular or nocturnal.

Knob-tailed gecko
Nephrurus laevissimus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Carphodactylidae
Genus: Nephrurus
Günther, 1876
Species

11 described species, see article.

Description

Lizards of this genus are easily distinguished by their short bodies, large heads, small legs, and short, carrot-shaped tails that often end in a small knob.

Nephrurus amyae

Species

The following 11 species are recognized as being valid.[1]

The former Nephrurus milii Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823, is now Underwoodisaurus milii (Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1823) – barking gecko.

As pets

Some species are sold and captive bred as pets such as Nephrurus amyae, Nephrurus asper, Nephrurus cinctus, Nephrurus deleani, Nephrurus laevissimus, Nephrurus levis, Nephrurus vertebralis and Nephrurus wheeleri.

References

  1. "Nephrurus ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  2. "JCVI.org". Archived from the original on 2010-05-16. Retrieved 2010-05-24.

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1885). Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History). Second Edition. Volume I. Geckonidæ ... London: Trustees of the British Museum. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 436 pp. + Plates I-XXXII. (Genus Nephrurus, p. 9).
  • Günther A (1876). "Descriptions of new species of Reptiles from Australia". Journal des Museum Godeffroy 5 (12): 45–47. (Nephrurus, new genus, p. 46).
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