Chondrodactylus turneri
Also known as Turner’s Giant Gecko for its impressive size (adults measure up to 10cm in length excluding their tail), Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko is a solitary, nocturnal species occurring in semi-desert and arid savannas, usually in rocky outcrops but also occasionally in or around houses. In the spring season females lay 2 or 3 clutches of 2 eggs each in holes dug in the sand. The eggs take 2 to 3 months to hatch. Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko is a carnivore, feeding primarily on insects and other invertebrates. In South Africa, this species is found in parts of Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the North West and Northern Cape provinces.
Turner’s Giant Gecko
Turner’s Giant Gecko
Turner’s Giant Gecko
Baby Turner’s Giant Gecko
Turner’s Giant Gecko
Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko
Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko in Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp
Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko
We think this might be a baby Turner’s Thick-toed Gecko (photo by Joubert)
Amazing creatures – the first time I ever saw one of these I couldn’t quite believe my eyes!
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When hearing the word “gecko” I also don’t immediately think of giants like these, and to see something that size stuck to a wall or hanging from the ceiling, as gecko’s do, is breathtaking!
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Indeed it is. They are extraordinary.
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Hierdie geckos maak nie dieselfde harde skreeu- geluide as diè op Bali nie, nè de Wet?
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Ek het hierdie nog nooit gehoor enige geluide maak nie, nee Una. Maar ons het ook geitjies wat lekker kan “gesels” – ek dink byvoorbeeld aan die Kalahari se blafgeitjies.
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Fascinating.
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Glad you found it so, thanks Lakshmi!
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Dis ‘n pragtige geitjie en besondere foto’s , Dries.
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Baie dankie Dina – lekker om jou weer hier te sien!
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Ek kom nou uit my winterslaap.🤪
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Dis goeie nuus op twee fronte – ons mis jou, en die winter is dan nou amptelik verby!
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Inside houses, do they look frightening compared to ordinary geckos?
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They’re much, much larger than the geckos you’d normally find indoors, Hien, and when encountered unexpectedly can get you quite startled!
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Leaping Lizards !!!
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Though if this one leapt, I’d want it to leap away from me and not towards me – it will definitely leave a mark on your face if this giant hits the bull’s eye!
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I find their eyelids so interesting.
janet
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Their faces remind me of dragons!
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I’ve seen many types of lizards but I’ve never seen a Gecko of any kind.. Thanks, D. 🙂
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Then I’m glad we could showcase this species today, thanks H.J.
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I do like geckos. So do the outdoor cats. I try to keep them separated when I am outside.
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Nice when we share interests with our pets, Lois. Though your and your cats’ respective interests in geckos probably do not stem from the same reasons, so the geckos probably like you more than the cats… 🙂
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