REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: EUBLEPHARIDAE: Eublepharis

Eublepharis macularius (Blyth, 1854)

Leopard gecko

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Arid regions of southern Asia, from Iran to Bangladesh.

Diagnosis: A gecko with moveable eyelids, no adhesive toe pads, a marbled pattern, and small tubercles on the head and body.

Description:

Natural History:

Reproduction: Lays two hard-shelled eggs per clutch.

Taxonomy & Relationships: All members of the small family Eublepharidae (meaning "true" or "good eyelids") are closely related. Other species live in Asia, Africa, North and Central America and Japan.

Variation:

Additional Comments:  Leopard geckos are one of the most popular terrarium animals, and many "designer" color variations have been bred for the pet trade. These geckos are docile, easy to care for and hardy in captivity.

Type Specimen:

 Literature: Click on book to order.

Bartlett, Dick. 1996. Let's talk eublepharines. Reptiles April:48-67.

de Vosjoli, P., B. Viets, R. Tremper and R. Klingenberg. 1998. The leopard gecko manual. AVS Books. ISBN: 1-882770-44-7. 

Henkel, F. and W. Schmidt. 1995. Geckoes. (An excellent book despite the misspelled title.) Krieger Publishing. ISBN: 0-89464-919-1.