Giant wall gecko
Species of lizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The giant wall gecko (Tarentola gigas) is a species of lizard in the family Phyllodactylidae. The species is endemic to Cape Verde. There are two recognized subspecies.
| Giant wall gecko | |
|---|---|
| |
| T. gigas brancoensis in Cape Verde | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Gekkota |
| Family: | Phyllodactylidae |
| Genus: | Tarentola |
| Species: | T. gigas |
| Binomial name | |
| Tarentola gigas (Bocage, 1875) | |
| Subspecies | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Taxonomy
The giant wall gecko was originally described and named Ascalabotes gigas by Portuguese zoologist José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage in 1875.[2]
Subspecies
Two subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized as being valid.[2]
Description
The giant wall gecko reaches a maximum snout-to-vent length of 15.5 cm (6.1 in). Its dorsal skin has a grey color.[2] It is one of the largest geckos in the world.[3]
Geographic distribution
Tarentola gigas is endemic to Cape Verde, where it occurs on the island of São Nicolau and on the nearby islets of Branco and Raso.[2]
Before human settlement to Cape Verde, the giant wall gecko also occurred on São Vicente and Santa Luzia.[3]
Behavior
The giant wall gecko is nocturnal.
Diet
Both subspecies of Tarentola gigas have a generalist diet, feeding on a variety of plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates (such as Coleoptera, Diptera, and more) available within their trophic environment.[3]
Conservation status
The giant wall gecko is listed as threatened because of the reduction of its range, and the decrease in the species it preys on.[3]
.svg){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}