Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko

On the last night of our visit to Mokala National Park last week I found this Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko on the floor of the bathroom in Lilydale Rest Camp’s Chalet #1. I didn’t question it about its intentions but I did carry it outside to more suitable habitat. The towel was a very necessary precaution; she’s a biter!

Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko found at Lilydale in the Mokala National Park

We’ll soon be announcing a very exciting spring-time tour to the Mokala National Park – do keep an eye on DeWetsWild’s facebook page so that you don’t miss out!

Chondrodactylus bibronii

Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko, also known as Bibron’s Giant Gecko, is a nocturnal reptile occurring in South Africa’s Western, Eastern and Northern Cape, Free State and North West Provinces, and marginally into adjacent parts of Botswana and Namibia. Here it inhabits rocky outcrops and human habitations in Karoo and semi-desert scrublands. It feeds on a wide variety of insects, other invertebrates, and even smaller lizards, often hunting around the lights of buildings at night. They are often found in colonies but are territorial and aggressive to each other, the males especially so, and they will also readily bite to defend themselves against predators and humans. Bibron’s Gecko is one of the largest geckos in South Africa, growing to between 15 and 20cm in length (including the tail, which makes up about half their total length). Adult females typically lay two clutches of two eggs each per year, hiding them in crevices or under bark.