Cyrtodactylus soba

Knuckles Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtodactylus ramboda, also known as Dumbara Bent-toed Gecko, is a species of gecko endemic to island of Sri Lanka.

Habitat & Distribution

A bent-toed gecko found only from Knuckles Mountain Range of Sri Lanka.

Description

Head is not depressed. Snout short. Body robust. Lamellae under fourth toe are 6-7. Claws are short. Mental subpentagonal, with concave posterior lateral borders. Dorsal scales across mid-body between ventro-lateral folds, 61-72. Tubercles on para-vertebral row are 225-31. Longitudinal rows of tubercles range from 7-10. Ventral scales imbricate with pointed posterior edges. Tail is long, slender and subcylindrical. Dorsum grayish brown with 5 dark brown bands. A dark canthal stripe with same color found that meets on nape. Flanks with a marbled pattern is found. Forehead with dark spots.

Ecology

Found in cardamom barns and from walls of tea plantation estates buildings, and also from tree trunks in densely shaded areas and rock caves. Feeds on insects and their larvae.

Reproduction

Lays 2 large spherical eggs of diameter 18 * 15mm within tree holes, rock crevices or spaces between bricks, in abandoned houses during June - August. Hatchlings measure 38-41mm and emerge in August and September.

References

• http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Cyrtodactylus&species=soba
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Cyrtodactylus_soba/classification/
• http://www.wht.lk/storage/miscellaneous/Cyrtodactylus%20RBZ.pdf
• http://www.srisalike.com/Founa/Reptiles/Endemic/Cyrtodactylus%20soba.aspx