Fat-tail gecko
The African fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) is a ground-dwelling species of gecko from West Africa and Cameroon.
The African fat-tailed gecko is from the subfamily Eublepharinae. This subfamily has clearly different characteristics from other geckos. They are terrestrial, and have moveable eyelids, vertical pupils, and no adhesive lamellae. African fat-tailed gecko is typically around 7–9 inches (18–23 cm), with females being slightly smaller than males. Normal coloring is brown and tan/beige stripes, with a possible thin white stripe along the length of the back. The underbelly is pale pink or off-white.
African fat-tailed geckos are found in West Africa, from Senegal to Nigeria, extending marginally to Central Africa (northern Cameroon). Within their range, they occur in the dry Sahel habitat, as well as in the wet or dry savannah habitat.
African fat-tailed geckos are strictly nocturnal, taking shelter from their generally hot and dry environment during the day and emerging at night to forage. They usually hide under a variety of covers and will retreat to burrows or hide under rocks or fallen logs. African fat-tailed geckos may vary in physical attributes based on their habitat even within specific regions of Africa from size, scale pattern, to color. This allows them to be able to fend off predators and be successful at repopulating. These tiny lizards are able to lose their tails when threatened or attacked. If the tail is lost, the new tail will have a more rounded shape, similar to the head. It may not match the body coloration and pattern of the gecko. These geckos also store their fat in their tails, which is an important energy reserve and the geckos can go days on end without food.
African fat-tailed geckos are carnivores and have a primarily insectivorous diet. They feed on various kinds of insects and other invertebrates within their habitats, such as worms, crickets, possibly beetles or cockroaches, etc.
African fat-tailed geckos are polygynandrous (promiscuous) meaning they have multiple partners during the breeding season. During this time they are very aggressive and territorial and males actively compete for females. They breed between November and March and during this period females lay up to 5 clutches of eggs. Each clutch consists of around 1-3 eggs. The young hatch precocial and can fend for themselves immediately.
African fat-tailed geckos are widespread throughout their natural range and are not threatened at present but they still suffer from intensive agriculture and collection for the pet trade.
According to IUCN Red List, the African fat-tailed gecko is locally common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
