Cochran's croaking gecko
Species of lizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cochran's croaking gecko (Aristelliger cochranae), also commonly known as Cochran's Caribbean gecko[3] and the Navassa gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species was described in 1931 by Chapman Grant and named after notable American herpetologist and artist Doris Mable Cochran.[3] The species received one of its common names from the loud croaking call of the male during the mating period.
| Cochran's croaking gecko | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Sphaerodactylidae |
| Genus: | Aristelliger |
| Species: | A. cochranae |
| Binomial name | |
| Aristelliger cochranae | |
Description
A. cochranae has a snout to vent length (SVL) up to 63 mm (2.5 in) in males and 53 mm (2.1 in) in females.[4] It has relatively short and massive legs.[citation needed] The colour of its body varies from beige brown to chestnut red and the back exhibits light spots. A dark chestnut crossband extends from the snout to the head, the nape, and the eyes. The largest part of the tail is dark grey to black.[citation needed] The hatchlings have clear white crossbands on the tail.[citation needed]
Occurrence and biology
Cochran's croaking gecko is endemic to Navassa Island,[1][4] an island between Haiti and Jamaica. It is relatively common despite its small habitat of 5.2 km² (2 sq mi).[citation needed] It is nocturnal and arboreal, which means that it lives and preys entirely on the branches or under the bark of ficus trees or fan palms (Thrinax morrisii ).[citation needed] Its diet consists of insects.[citation needed]