Suborder Sauria Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | Class Reptilia Family Gekkonidae Scientific name Phyllurus platurus Rank Species | |
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Similar Phyllurus, Northern leaf‑tailed gecko, Saltuarius, Champion's leaf‑tailed gecko, Burton's legless lizard | ||
The broad-tailed gecko or southern leaf-tailed gecko (Phyllurus platurus) is a common gecko found in the Sydney Basin. The large tail is used as a decoy, to prevent predation. The tail is also useful for fat storage. This gecko is great for pets and, is an agile nocturnal hunter, useful as a killer of insect pests.
Contents
Description
Snout to vent length of 9.5 cm. Total length up to 15 cm. Rocky brown in colour, a flat body and tail.
Habitat
Rocky areas, particularly in the sandstone outcrops near Sydney. However, it has adapted well to human settlement, finding shelter between bricks, in sheds, woodpiles and garages.
Diet
Arthropods such as spiders, moths and beetles.
Reproduction
One or two eggs per clutch, laid in a crevice. Juveniles hatch after eight to ten weeks.
Captivity
Considered an "easy to keep" species, a license is required to keep the Broad-tailed Gecko as a pet in Australia.
Related Species
Related species include the Phyllurus cornutus and other species in the same genus; many of them are newly discovered.