Golden gecko

Golden gecko
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Gekko
Species:	G. badenii
Binomial name
Gekko badenii[2] Szczerbak & Nekrasova, 1994
Synonyms
Gekko ulikovskii Darevsky & Orlov, 1994

Gekko badenii, or the golden gecko, is native to the humid, tropical rainforests of Vietnam.^[1] Males grow to around 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm), while females stay around 5 to 6 inches (13 to 15 cm). Golden geckos do not like to be handled. They are somewhat hyperactive and can stress easily. They can and will bite when bothered but can be tamed if handled enough. As a defense mechanism the tail can detach to confuse the predator, giving the gecko time to escape. Golden geckos also have specialized toe pads that allow them to move along vertical surfaces and upside down.

Sexing and characteristics

Males have a longer tail base, with fleshy knobs at the base of the tail. Pores appear on the insides of the legs. Females have none of these.

Diet

Insects, such as crickets and mealworms, wax worms, and fruits, such as bananas and mangos, which are rich in calcium. Golden geckos hydrate themselves by drinking water from rainfall collecting on leaves.

As pets

Golden geckos are not very popular in the pet trade, so most are wild caught. They require a minimum of 20 US gallons for an adult. Females can live together, but males will fight.

References

1. Bain, R.H. (2009). "Gekko badenii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
2. Nguyen, Quang Truong; Schmitz, Andreas; Bohme, Wolfgang (April 2010). "Gekko ulikovskii Darevsky & Orlov, 1994: a junior synonym of Gekko badenii Szczerbak & Nekrasova, 1994" (PDF). Bonn Zoological Bulletin 57 (1): 15–17. Retrieved 17 March 2013.