Infraorder Gekkota Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Lacertilia Family Gekkonidae | |
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Similar Diplodactylus, Phyllurus, Strophurus, Nephrurus, Oedura monilis | ||
Checking out some yearling oedura
Oedura is a genus of medium to large geckos (Gekkonidae) endemic to Australia. They are referred to by the common name velvet geckos. Most of the Species occur in northern and eastern Australia, with further isolates in the arid zone (Pilbara, Central Ranges and Flinders Ranges).
Contents
They are mostly arboreal and nocturnal, and have flattened bodies that are distinctly patterned. They are secretive tree or rock dwellers, usually concealing themselves beneath peeling bark or in cracks and crevices. A species found in the Kimberley region, Oedura filicipoda, is named for the plumose fringing on the toes that may assist in clinging to rocky overhangs. All species are adapted to their dry conditions and can go for months without food or water.
The content of the genus Oedura has been reduced by Oliver et al. in 2012, when they transferred four species to the genus Amalosia and erected two new monotypic genera, Hesperoedura for Oedura reticulata and Nebulifera for Oedura robusta.
Southern spotted velvet gecko oedura tryoni
Diversity
The type species for the genus is Oedura marmorata, first described by John Edward Gray in 1842. The following is a list of ten valid species:
