Lygodactylus capensis
The Common Dwarf Gecko inhabits well-wooded savanna and thicket habitats, and have adapted very well to the urban environment in towns and cities throughout their South African distribution, which stretches from Kwazulu-Natal, through Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng and North West to the extreme north-eastern parts of the Northern Cape. Populations have also become established in towns and cities outside their natural distribution range. Outside our country they’re found throughout central Africa to Tanzania. They feed on ants and termites.
Cape Dwarf Geckos breed throughout the year, laying small eggs in pairs in cracks and under loose bark. Depending on the ambient temperature, the eggs may take between 2 and 5 months to hatch. Adults measure about 4cm in length, tail excluded.
Love the portfolio of pics. They really are endearing little creatures. Nice to have them around to mop up the insects.
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I also don’t mind having them around at all, Liz. They’re entertaining and helpful!
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I agree that the photo of the gecko looking through the glass of the ashtray is very cute. Either it was a very big ashtray or a very small gecko!
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Thanks, Carol! It was the little gecko that was positively liliputian. 😉
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Making it even more cute! 🙂
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Te oulik!
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Ongetwyfeld, Tina!
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Of all the reptiles I know of, the gecko is clearly the winner in the “cute” category. We see a few in the Arizona desert, though I don’t know if they are of the dwarf variety.
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Reptiles are a diverse and fascinating order, John, and I am sure some of those in Arizona are quite exotic!
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That dwarf gecko is simply the cutest little reptile. So glad you shared the info. The eggs must be very small. Surprised to learn how long they take to hatch.
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Indeed, Jane, their eggs are really tiny! South Africa’s temperate climate for much of the year probably accounts for the extended incubation period.
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Hier is darem ook geckos. Iets interessants wat ek vandag gelees het. Hier is net twee soogdiere en beide is vlêrmuise. Daar was n derde soogdier, ook n vlêrmuis wat deur n polinese rot vernietig is na dit ingekom het met die eerste polinese inwoners/indringers.
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New Zealand is regtig n fassinerende wêreld in eie reg!
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Stem saam dis beslis n heel ander belewenis. Elke dag is daar weer iets nuuts wat oor my pad kom. Daar het juis nou twee Magpies(ingevoer van Australie) besluit om die omgewing hier te gebruik vir hul intimidasie.Hoop nie ek kom eendag te na aan hul nes nie want dis wanneer hul so kwaai is. Hul maak ook soggens baie vroeg n hele kabaal.
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I wish I could share a video with you of my granddaughter feeding one of these little guys. She waits for it to get into her hand before she gives it worms.
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What a wonderful interaction, Beth, and I am sure your granddaugter finds it very special!
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Another delight from you. Our garden is awash with these little characters – outdoors as well as indoors; from minute to mature; thin and fat. They travel up and down tree trunks, skitter across the walls – one even rode to the local shopping mall and back in my car!
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They are very lively little reptiles, even in colder weather, and so interesting to watch!
But I didn’t know of their love for shopping!
😃
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Their markings are really pretty. They look very similar to our anole lizards here.
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They don’t have that weird flap under their chin like the anoles do though!
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Oh, that’s a shame. 😳 I’m sure they would be so jealous of Anotole in my backyard.
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They would, so I am not even going to be showing the geckos in our garden what Anatole looks like – the whining will never stop if I do! 😀
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🤣😂
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The photo of it checking out the ashtray is so cute.
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Inside the ashtray were a few antlions Joubert dug up, and the little gecko must have been licking his lips at the sight of the crunchy morsels!
https://dewetswild.com/about/de-wets-wild-3/
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Those antlions have got no chance.
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Thankfully they had a powerful protector in Joubert who ensured they all returned safely to their dusty abodes
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They were lucky to have him.
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leaping lizards !!!!
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You bet, Gavin – these little guys are quite good at jumping!
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I think geckos are the cutest little things! But I have to watch when the outdoor cats think they are there for their entertainment. Not so, my sweeties!
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Sadly cats have a major impact on our native urban wildlife and not all pet owners are as conscientious as you, Lois, to try and limit their impact.
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Ah, that is a real shame, Dries.
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The biggest shame is that so many people live so disconnected from the natural world around them. But we’ll show them the light, one-by-one, won’t we, Lois?
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Very cool-looking creatures! I love the patterns. I also think one of these guys tried to sell me insurance. Ha.
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Sorry to hear the insurance salesmen in your part of the world are as scaly as they are here!
😀
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Haha. I mean, yes. They all have scales. They’re pretty reptilian!
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I love how fast geckos move! Eating ants and termites? All good!
janet
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I love watching these little guys on the hunt!
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