Cnemaspis psychedelica

Psychedelic Rock Gecko
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Gekkonidae
Genus: Cnemaspis
Species:
C. psychedelica
Binomial name
Cnemaspis psychedelica
Grismer, Ngo & Grismer, 2010

Cnemaspis psychedelica, also known as the psychedelic rock gecko, is an endangered species of gecko, only scientifically described in 2010, that is endemic to Hon Khoai Island and adjacent Hon Tuong Isle in Vietnam.[1][3] It is up to about 7.5 cm (3 in) in snout–vent length, and (as suggested by its name) it is quite brightly coloured in yellow, orange, black and grey-blue.[4]

This diurnal gecko inhabits granite boulders in densely vegetated country, retreating into crevices or under the rocks if scared, locations also used for sleeping at night. Each female typically lays two white eggs that are attached 0.3–3.5 m (1–11.5 ft) above the ground to the underside of a rock ledge (in captivity, they will use various elevated surfaces, not just rocks) and several females may use the same place, forming a communal nest with up to ten eggs.[1][4][5] Newly hatched young are quite dull, but the adult colours are already evident when two months old.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Nguyen, T.Q.; Ngo, H.; Ziegler, T.; van Schingen, M. (2016). "Cnemaspis psychedelica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T97210381A97210384. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T97210381A97210384.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ "Cnemaspis psychedelica". The Reptile Database. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  4. ^ a b c Ziegler, T.; A. Rauhaus; K.V. Nguyen; T.Q. Nguyen (2016). "Building of a Conservation Breeding Facility for the Psychedelic Rock Gecko (Cnemaspis psychedelica) in Southern Vietnam". Zool. Garten N.F. 85 (5): 224–239. doi:10.1016/j.zoolgart.2016.05.002.
  5. ^ Ngo, H.N.; T.Q. Nguyen; T.V. Nguyen; M. van Schingen; T. Ziegler (2018). "Microhabitat selection and communal nesting in the insular Psychedelic Rock Gecko, Cnemaspis psychedelica, in Southern Vietnam with updated information on trade". Nature Conservation. 31 (3): 1–16. doi:10.3897/natureconservation.31.28145.