Animal Profiles
Reptiles

Leopard Gecko

Eublepharis macularius

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The leopard gecko is a ground-dwelling Asian lizard with dark spots and movable eyelids. It leaves daytime shelters to hunt after dark.

Eublepharis macularius

At a glance

Location
Dry rocky landscapes in southwestern and southern Asia, including Pakistan and northwestern India.
Habitat
Desert, Grassland
Diet
Insectivore
Food
Insects, spiders and other small invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Leopard Gecko
Browse group
Reptiles
Scientific name or taxon
Eublepharis macularius
Taxon rank
species
Family
Eublepharidae
Genus
Eublepharis
Source classification
Reptilia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
About 22 cm approximate adult length

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Movable eyelids distinguish it from many geckos.
  • Its toes have claws instead of adhesive pads.
  • It shelters during the day and hunts at night.

Habitat and range

Dry rocky landscapes in southwestern and southern Asia, including Pakistan and northwestern India.

Appearance and adaptations

Unlike many familiar climbing geckos, it has clawed toes rather than adhesive toe pads. Its tail can detach, and its eyelids move.

Diet and behaviour

It hides in burrows or beneath rocks during daylight. At night it searches for invertebrates, including beetles, spiders and other small arthropods.

Sources

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