#dwarf geckos

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

The dwarf gecko isn't called 'dwarf' for nothing! As the world's smallest reptile, it weighs only 0.13 g (0.0045 oz) and reaches only 14–18 mm (0.55–0.71 in) in length from tip to tail. Even more impressive, that size also makes it the world's smallest amniote-- that is, an animal that develops within an amniotic sac.

(Image: A male dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) atop a United State 10 cent coin by Daniel Scantlebury)

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[reptilefacts]

Gonatodes is a genus of dwarf geckos of the family Sphaerodactylidae. The majority of these species are diurnally active, adapted to climbing and sexually dimorphic. The size of adults (from snout to vent) ranges from 28mm to 65mm for known species. The wild diet of these geckos is composed largely of small arthropods (ie. crickets, centipedes and spiders). Clutch sizes are small (only one egg), though most species produce several clutches per year, and some utilizing communal egg-laying sites.

Species of Gonatodes are found in Central America including southern Mexico, a few Caribbean Islands (including Cuba, Hispanola, Jamaica and Union Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines) and the northern part of South America, including Peru,Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, parts of Brazil,Venezuela and the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Human mediated introductions have occurred with one species in the Galapagos Islands and another in Florida.   Most species are forest dwelling, with some species being able to utilize human modified environments, in some cases including highly urbanized areas.

Photos and Information [source]