Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Infraorder Gekkota Scientific name Sphaerodactylus klauberi Rank Species | Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Sauria Family Sphaerodactylidae Phylum Chordata Order Scaled reptiles | |
Similar Sphaerodactylus, Sphaerodactylus elegantulus, Little‑scaled least gecko, Saba least gecko, Big‑scaled least gecko | ||
Sphaerodactylus klauberi is a species of gecko endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico.
Contents
Common names
Common names for S. klauberi include Klauber's dwarf gecko, Klauber's least gecko, Puerto Rican highland sphaero, Puerto Rican upland gecko, and Puerto Rican upland sphaero.
Etymology
The epithet or specific name, klauberi, is in honor of American herpetologist Laurence Monroe Klauber.
Description
Sphaerodactylus klauberi is one of the larger-sized gecko species. It typically measures 5.7 inches (14.5 centimeters) snout to vent. Its colorings consist of a dark-brown upper body with darker-brown or black spots which become larger on the tail. The underbody is usually orange or reddish-pink with a gray throat that may have dark mottled areas.
Behavior
Like all Sphaerodactylus species, S. klauberi is voiceless. The female lays one hard-shelled egg that can be as large as her head. The egg’s incubation lasts 2 to 3 months. The upland gecko is an insectivore. It is mostly active at night.
Habitat
S. klauberi specimens have been collected between 160 ft (50 m) and 3,600 ft (1,097 m) in elevation. They can sometimes be seen on the ground or on low branches in the Tabonuco, Colorado, and Palma Sierra sections of the Caribbean National Rain Forest.