Broad-tailed gecko

The broad-tailed gecko, southern leaf-tailed gecko, or Sydney leaf-tailed gecko[1][2][3] (Phyllurus platurus) is a common gecko of the family Carphodactylidae found in the Sydney Basin.[4][5] The species uses its mottled colour to camouflage against bark or rock, and if threatened can drop its large fleshy tail as a decoy. The tail is also useful for fat storage. This species of gecko is available in captivity as a pet, they are a nocturnal ambush hunter, relying on camouflage and patience to catch prey. Primary prey items include large nocturnal invertebrates such as spiders, cockroaches and beetles.[6]

Taken in East Ryde

Broad-tailed gecko
in a garage at Chatswood West, Australia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Carphodactylidae
Genus: Phyllurus
Species:
P. platurus
Binomial name
Phyllurus platurus
Shaw 1790
Synonyms
  • Lacerta platura
  • Stellio phyllurus
  • Stellio platurus
  • Stellio platuros
  • Agama grandoculis
  • Agama platyura
  • Agama discosura
  • Geckoides platurus
  • Phyllurus platura
  • Phyllurus spinosus
  • Phyllurus novaehollandiae
  • Phyllurus cuvieri
  • Phyllurus whitii
  • Phyllurus australis
  • Phyllurus inermis
  • Phyllura discosura
  • Phyllura grandoculis
  • Gymnodactylus platyurus
  • Gymnodactylus phyllurus
  • Gymnodactylus inermis
  • Gymnodactylus platurus
  • Cyrtodactylus platura
  • Gecko platycaudus

Description

Snout to vent length of 9.5 cm. Total length up to 15 cm. Mottled brown in colour with low bumpy tubercules over the body, original tails are mottled the same colour as the body with large slightly spiny tubercules, whereas regenerated tails are chunkier mottled and smooth.[2]

Habitat

Common generally in the greater Sydney Basin area, north to Newcastle and south to the Illawarra. It mainly inhabits rocky areas including boulders, rock faces or small rock crevices, but can also naturally be found on trees including in areas with no immediate rocky habitat. The species can occupy a wide range of niches from temperate rainforest gullies to drier sclerophyll ridge lines. It has also adapted well to human structures and can be found in garages, fences, retaining walls and homes.

in Sydney

Diet

Arthropods such as spiders, moths, beetles and cockroaches.[6]

Broad-tailed Gecko - tail

Reproduction
Taken in Sydney's Northern Beaches

One or two eggs per clutch, laid in a crevice.[6] Juveniles hatch after eight to ten weeks.

Captivity

Considered an "easy to keep" species,[7] a license is required to keep the Southern leaf-tailed gecko as a pet in Australia, though licenses may differ from state to state.

References
  1. "Phyllurus platurus (Shaw, 1790)" The Reptile Database
  2. Cogger, Harold (1975). REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF AUSTRALIA. Sydney: A.H. & A.W. Reed. ISBN 9780589071769.
  3. "Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko - Phyllurus platurus - Australian Museum". australianmuseum.net.au. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  4. Australia, Atlas of Living. "Phyllurus platurus : Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko | Atlas of Living Australia". bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2017-09-22.
  5. "Phyllurus platurus". The Queensland Museum. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  6. Doughty, Paul; Shine, Richard (1995). "Life in Two Dimensions: Natural History of the Southern Leaf-Tailed Gecko, Phyllurus platurus". Herpetologica. 51 (2): 193–201. JSTOR 3892587.
  7. "Complete outline of the NSW reptile licensing system (PDF - 117KB) - Publication | NSW Environment, Energy and Science".
  • Wilson, Steve and Swan, Gerry (2003) A Complete Guide to Reptiles of Australia Reed New Holland, Frenchs Forest, New South Wales, page 88, ISBN 1-876334-72-X
  • Laube, A. and Langner, C. (2007) "Die "Geckos" Australiens" Draco 8(29): pp. 4–21; in German


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