Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Flat-tailed house gecko

Hemidactylus platyurus

Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider, 1792

In Thai: จิ้งจกบ้านหางแบน

The flat-tailed house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus), also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a species of Gekkonidae native to southeastern and southern Asia. The species is sometimes classified under the genus Cosymbotus.

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

Bangladesh, 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).

They are also introduced in Florida (Pinellas, Alachua, Lee, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties) in the USA.

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 (genus Ptychozoon). 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).

This article uses material from Wikipedia released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licence 3.0. Eventual photos shown in this page may or may not be from Wikipedia, please see the license details for photos in photo by-lines.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Lacertilia
Family
Gekkonidae
Genus
Hemidactylus
Species
Hemidactylus platyurus

Common names

  • German:
    • Gewöhnlicher Haftzeher
    • Thailändischer Hausgecko
    • Saumschwanz-Hausgecko
  • English:
    • Flat-tailed house gecko
    • Frilled house gecko
    • Asian house gecko
    • Common frilly gecko
  • Thai: จิ้งจกบ้านหางแบน

Synonyms

  • Hemidactylus cf. platyurus, Stephen Mahony et al. (2009)
  • Cosymbotus platyurus, Vladimir V. Bobrov & Dmitry V. Semenov (2008)
  • Cosymbotus platyurus, J. ter Borg (2007)
  • Hemidactylus platyurus, Salvador Carranza & Edwin Nicholas Arnold (2006)
  • Cosymbotus platyurus, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Cosymbotes sic platyurus, R.C.H. Teo & S. Rajathurai (1997)
  • Cosymbotus platyurus, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Cosymbotus platyurus, Arnold Girard Kluge (1993)
  • Platyurus platyurus, Aaron Matthew Bauer & Rainer Günther (1992)
  • Gehyra platyurua, Paul E. Pieris Deraniyagala (1953)

Photos

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Hemidactylus platyurus
Hemidactylus platyurus (with unusual re-grown double tail-tip)

Range Map

Distribution map of Flat-tailed house gecko, Hemidactylus platyurus in Thailand
  • Ban Lat District, Phetchaburi
  • Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Huai Krachao District, Kanchanaburi
  • Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
  • Kapo Waterfall Forest Park
  • Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khlong Khuean District, Chachoengsao
  • Ko Chang National Park
  • Ko Lanta National Park
  • Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
  • Kui Buri National Park
  • Lam Nam Kra Buri National Park
  • Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi
  • Mueang Nongbua Lamphu District, Nong Bua Lamphu
  • Mueang Phetchaburi District, Phetchaburi
  • Mueang Sa Kaeo District, Sa Kaeo
  • Mueang Sukhothai District, Sukhothai
  • Noen Maprang District, Phitsanulok
  • Op Luang National Park
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
  • Sattahip District, Chonburi
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Thalang District, Phuket
  • Thale Ban National Park
  • Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang District, Tak
Range map of Hemidactylus platyurus in Thailand