Texas Banded Gecko

Range

The range of the Texas banded gecko includes Texas and southern regions of New Mexico in the United States and some northeastern parts of Mexico. They are mostly found in the southwest Trans-Pecos region in Texas and the South Texas thorn scrub.

Habitats

The Texas banded geckos are typically found in dry, rocky terrains. They shelter in burrows, dens or underneath flat rocks, or in rock crevices. The geckos are oviparous and the breeding season is from March to April. The females lay eggs in clutches of two eggs and deposit them in an underground burrow. They are primarily nocturnal and prey on various kinds of arthropods and insects mainly termites, crickets, and moths.

Identification

These geckos are small and slender with an average total length between 3.9-4.7 inches although the females are generally larger than males. The head and eyes are large and the eyes have vertical pupils. On the toes, there are no climbing pads. The dorsal side of this lizard has granular scales and the coloration is usually brownish with alternating crossbands of brown and pale yellow or pink. They have a distinctive set of blotches and spots on the body that become more apparent with age.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians