The scaly gecko (Hemidactylus scabriceps ) is a species of nocturnal, terrestrial, insectivorous gecko found in South India and northern Sri Lanka. This species was first discovered in the coastal sand dunes of Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu. Subsequently, it was incorrectly identified and only recently, elaborate descriptions and molecular data are available, enabling a proper identification.
Adults of this species are relatively short and stout; forehead appears convex; snout, blunt and rounded, larger than the eyes; limbs short; a cylindrical tail, tapers towards the tip. Dorsal surface of head and neck covered with overlapping scales which are small, rounded and granular. Mental scale large; eyes laterally placed, large having a vertical pupil; iris brown; small yellow scales surrounding the eyes. Supralabial scales: 7 to 8 and infralabial scales: 6 to 8; a pair of nostrils between rostral scales. Scales on dorsum similar to those on the belly, are distinctly imbricate, leaf-shaped and almost smooth; scales increase in size from snout towards the tail with the largest scales found just above limbs and on the tail. Femoral pores absent; adult males have up to 6 pre-anal pores; the fourth toe appears subdigital and divided partially.
This species predominantly occupies semi-arid and open habitats which are dry and sometimes sandy. They are found in Tamil Nadu in South India and in north western parts of Sri Lanka. In India, this species has been observed in the following areas: Ramnad, Adyar, Chennai, Mayiladuthurai, Madurai, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, and Vallanadu Wildlife Sanctuary. In Sri Lanka, it has been reported in Marichhukate in Northern Province.
