Golden-tailed gecko
Common name: golden-tailed gecko
Scientific name: Strophurus taenicauda
Family: Gekkonidae
Conservation status: This species is list as Near Threatened in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and it is ranked as a medium priority under the Department of Environment and Resource Management 'Back on Track' species prioritisation framework.
Description: The golden-tailed gecko is grey or white patterned with black patches of varying size over its body. An orange-brown stripe runs along the upper side of its tail. Its eye has a vertical pupil surrounded by a bright orange pupil edged with fine white dots. Its body is 70mm long and the tail is slightly shorter (about 70 percent of the body length).
Habitat and distribution: The golden-tailed gecko lives in open woodland and open forest where it shelters under loose bark and hollow limbs.
It occurs over the Darling Downs in southern Queensland and north to coastal central Queensland. Almost all known records of this species have occurred within the Brigalow Belt bioregion.
Life history and behaviour: The golden-tailed gecko is arboreal (i.e. lives in trees) where it shelters under loose bark or in hollows, emerging at night to feed on insects. This gecko can produce a thick fluid from its tail if it is disturbed. This is probably a means of deterring predators.
Females lay two eggs.
Threatening processes: Vast areas of the Brigalow Belt have been cleared for agriculture, removing or fragmenting much of the habitat of this gecko. Inappropriate fire and grazing regimes can destroy habitat for this gecko.
Cats and foxes are suspected of preying upon geckos.
Related information:
Cogger, H.G. (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed.
Last reviewed 24 February 2011
Last updated 20 August 2010