Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata Scientific name Tarentola boehmei | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Lacertilia Rank Species | |
Similar Tarentola bischoffi, Boettger's wall gecko, Tarentola gigas, East Canary gecko, Gomero wall gecko | ||
Böhme's gecko (Tarentola boehmei), also commonly known as the Morocco wall gecko, is a species of lizard in the Gekkonidae family. The species is endemic to western North Africa where it is found in rocky areas such as cliffs and walls as well as ruins of buildings and urban areas.
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Etymology
Both the specific name, boehmei, and the common name, Böhme's gecko, are in honor of German herpetologist Wolfgang Böhme.
Description
Böhme's gecko is a medium-sized species with a snout-to-vent length of 7.5 cm (3.0 in) and a total length of about 11 cm (4.3 in). The pupil is a vertical slit and the eyelids are unable to close over the eye, being replaced by a transparent membrane. The tips of the digits are enlarged and the whole of the digits are flattened. There is a distinctive rosette of secondary tubercles around the primary tubercles on the flanks, and the nostrils are united on the snout.
Distribution and habitat
Böhme's gecko is found in southern Morocco, northern Western Sahara, and possibly in Algeria and Mauritania. In Morocco it is present in Tazzarine, the southern part of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, the Draa River Valley and Jebel Bani, a lower range of mountains. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrublands, rocky areas, rural gardens, and urban areas.
Status
Böhme's gecko has a relatively restricted range but is common in many places within this area. It is tolerant of disturbance to its habitat, the population trend seems steady and no particular threats have been detected, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".