Hemidactylus platyurus, commonly known as the Flat-tailed House Gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae found in Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

. The species is sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus

Cosymbotus

Cosymbotus, the Asian house geckos, is a genus of Gekkonidae. It may contain a single species, Cosymbotus craspedotus ; another species included in the genus, Cosymbotus platyurus is now usually classified under the genus Hemidactylus....

.

Description

Snout longer than the distance between the eye and the ear-opening, one time and a half the diameter of the orbit; forehead concave; ear-opening small, oval, oblique. Rostral four-sided, not twice as broad as high, with median cleft above; nostril bordered by the rostral, the first labial and three nasals. Nine to eleven upper and seven or eight lower labials; mental large. triangular or pentagonal; two pair of chin-shields, the median pair large, in contact with each other, the posterior pair small, sometimes separated from the labials. Body depressed, covered above with uniform small granules, largest on the snout; a dermal expansion from axilla to groin and another along the posterior side of the hind limb. Ventral scales cycloid, imbricate. Male with an uninterrupted series of 34—36 femoral pores. Tail depressed, flat inferiorly, with sharp denticulated lateral edge, covered above with uniform small granules, below with a median series of transversely dilated plates. Limbs moderate, depressed; digits strongly dilated, about half-webbed, inner well developed; 3 to 6 lamellae under the inner, 7 to 9 under the median digits. Grey above, marbled with darker grey; generally a dark streak from eye to shoulder. Lower parts white. Length of head and body 61 mm.; tail 66 mm.

Distribution

N India (Darjeeling, Sikkim), Nicobar Islands, Nepal, Bhutan,
China (Guangdong, SE Xizang = Tibet), Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia (incl. Pulau Tioman), Burma (= Myanmar), Vietnam, New Guinea (?),
Philippine Islands (Palawan, Calamian Islands, Panay, Luzon),
Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores)
USA (introduced to Florida)

As a pet

These geckos are frequently found in the pet trade, including corporate chain stores, usually identified only as "House gecko". While there are other species of gecko available under the same common name, the Cosymbotus platyurus is easily identified by the flaps of skin along its sides, making them resemble a miniature flying gecko (Ptychozoon

Ptychozoon

Ptychozoon is a genus of arboreal gecko from Southeast Asia, known as Flying Geckos or Parachute Geckos. They are characterized by cryptic coloration and elaborate webs surrounding the neck, limbs, trunk, and tail. These membranes help to conceal the gecko against trees...

genus). They are easily maintained in a terrarium with frequent misting and insect prey, but they are not easy to handle. Also, herpetoculturists often use this species in addition to anoles as a feeder lizard for some species of snakes, especially Asian green vine snakes (Ahaetulla prasina

Ahaetulla prasina

Ahaetulla prasina, commonly known as the Asian vine snake or the Oriental whipsnake, is a widespread species of tree snake found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.-Description:...

).

External links

• http://www.gekkota.com/Photos/photos.html
• Baby Cosymbotus platyurus Photos
• Adult Cosymbotus platyurus Photos