#791: Velvet Gecko

Velvet Geckos are a Genus of gecko endemic to Australia. They are arboreal and nocturnal, patterned in a cryptic but colourful shades that provide camouflage during the day. As night falls, he ventures out to hunt for invertebrates, and may even consume smaller geckos. Habitat varies, from caves to spinifex fields, woodland to rock face. Like other geckos, the Velvet Gecko cannot blink, and must lick his eyes to keep them moist.

#778: Uma

As I near the end of the alphabet, you will notice that I start to "cheat" a little. Until now, I've more-or-less avoided scientific names, unless the critter has no common name - but there are precious few creatures beginning with U - and even less with X.

This fellow is an Uma, a Genus of fringe-toed lizards. There are six species, who occupy the low desert areas of North America. They are named for the fringe of scales along their hind toes. These help the lizard to move swiftly across the shirting sand dunes of his desert home. He is specialised in other ways too: his upper jaw overlaps the lower, he can close his nostrils and flaps close his ear openings. His upper and lower eyelids interlock. These adaptations stop the intrusion of sand into his body.

#701: Skink

The Skinks are a diverse Family of lizard, ranging in size from 7.5 cm to 36 cm. They are characterised by their long, tapering bodies, with no pronounced neck, and small limbs. Some species are entirely limbless. Sinks move much like snakes, their legs acting as stabilisers. Most species favour a diet of insects and other invertebrates, although a few feed on vegetative matter. They are a cosmopolitan Family, found in deserts, mountains, grasslands and woodlands. Leaf litter is a favourite habitat, as is tussock; most species are terrestrial in nature.

This fellow is a Mountain Skink, found in Arizona and New Mexico. It is one of the American Plestidon lizards, where juveniles are characterised by their blue tails. The Mountain Skink sometimes retains this into adulthood. If attacked, the Skink can shed his tail, severing blood vessels, bone and muscle and leaving behind the twitching appendage to distract the predator. Although capable of regeneration, the new tail will contain cartilage rather than bone. This process - known as autonomy - is found in other reptile species as well.

Creature Feature #475: Monitor Lizard

There are 77 species of Monitor Lizards, characterised by their sturdy limbs, powerful tails and claws and their long necks. Most favour a terrestrial lifestyle, although some species are arboreal. They occur naturally in Africa, Oceania and Asia. The Nile Monitor has established itself in Florida, where it is regarded as an Invasive Pest. Monitor Lizards are considered intelligent and have been known to hunt cooperatively to raid crocodile nests, with one lizard luring the mother crocodile away whilst the other breaks open the nest. The decoy then returns to help devour the eggs before the crocodile returns.

This speciman is an Australian Monitor Lizard, also known as a Perentie.

Creature Feature #421: Leopard Gecko

The Leopard Gecko can be found in the deserts of Asia, Pakistan and India. Unlike most Geckos, he possesses eyelids and therefore can actually blink, this is likely an adaptation to his dry, dusty environment. He is terrestrial and crepuscular in nature, preying on insects and other invertebrates. These he stalks, tail swishing, in much the same manner as his namesake - the Leopard. Leopard Gecko are popular in captivity and have been bred to enhance the golden colour. Wild specimens tend to be duller. His skin is very durable and shed regularly, with the old skin being consumed.

Creature Feature #413: Leaf-tailed Gecko

Not just any Leaf-tailed Gecko either - this is the SATANIC Leaf-tailed Gecko.

Leaf-tailed Geckos are a Family of Gecko, endemic to Madagascar. Here his cryptic colouration (generally shades of brown and black, with hints of purple) allow him to all but disappear against the bark of the tree.

Seriously, they are all but impossible to see, here's a photograph I took of some:

How many can you see?

There are numerous species of Leaf-tailed Gecko. This fellow lives in the eastern rainforests (despite the tsingy in the background - oops). He follows a nocturnal lifestyle, venturing out at night to capture insects. If threatened he will also flatten himself against the bark to reduce his shadow and, if that fails, opens his mouth wide to expose the bright red inner. He is also capable of shedding his tail. Leaf-tailed Gecko are threatened by habitat loss - many of the species are vulnerable to extinction - and also by poaching. Due to his impressive appearance, he has become desirable in the pet trade and certain numbers of some species are allowed to be exported every year.