The Texas Banded Gecko is a small, nocturnal lizard found in the South-Western United States, primarily in Texas and parts of New Mexico.
It’s characterized by its distinctive banded pattern on its body, which consists of alternating dark and light bands.
Its diet mainly includes insects, and it tends to hide during the day and become active at night.
Texas Banded Gecko Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family that the Texas Banded Gecko belongs to is called Eublepharidae. There are currently 6 different genera and over 40 recognised species in this family.
These lizards fall under the Infraorder Gekkota, meaning they are a sub-group of Geckos.
The Eublepharidae family of geckos contain many commonly kept species of lizard including the Leopard Gecko and the African Fat Tailed Gecko.
The lizards in the Eublepharidae family can be found in Asia, Africa, North America and Central America.
Genus
The genus that the Texas Banded Gecko belong to is called Coleonyx. This is a genus of Banded Geckos native to North and Central America.
This genus consists of a number of species and sub-species of Banded Geckos including the Central American Banded Gecko and the Western Banded Gecko.
There are currently 7 recognised species in the genus including the Reticulate Banded Gecko and the Barefoot Gecko.
Species
The scientific name for the Texas Banded Gecko is Coleonyx brevis and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
This species was first described in 1893 by an American/Norwegian herpetologist named Leonhard Hess Stejneger.
Texas Banded Gecko Description
The Texas Banded Gecko has a small and stout body, with a length ranging from about 3 to 4.5 inches.
The coloration and pattern of this gecko can vary depending on its habitat and individual variations.
These lizards are known for their distinct banded pattern. These bands are usually alternating dark and light stripes that run across its body, including its tail.
The color of the bands can range from light beige to reddish-brown or even grey. Their belly is usually a lighter color, often pale white or cream.
The Texas Banded Gecko has relatively large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, which is a common trait among many nocturnal gecko species.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Texas Banded Gecko is native to parts of the Southern United States, with its primary distribution being in Texas and New Mexico.
It’s range also extends into Northern Mexico where it can be found in a number of Mexican States.
In Mexico, it can be found in places such as Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Durango.
Its geographical range is centred around the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent areas.
The Chihuahuan Desert provides an ideal habitat for the Texas Banded Gecko due to its arid and semi-arid conditions.
These geckos are adapted to the desert environment and are often found in rocky or sandy areas where they can hide during the day and emerge at night to hunt for insects.
Texas Banded Gecko Behaviour
The Texas Banded Gecko is nocturnal, meaning they are primarily active during the night, which helps them avoid the extreme daytime heat of the desert environment.
They emerge from their hiding spots after sunset to hunt for food and engage in other activities.
During the day, these geckos seek shelter in crevices, burrows, and rocky areas to avoid the heat and potential predators.
The Texas Banded Gecko is generally solitary and territorial. They establish their own territories, which they defend from other geckos.
These territories often include preferred hiding spots and feeding areas.
The diet of the Texas Banded Gecko mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
They are skilled hunters and use their keen eyesight and sense of smell to locate prey in the darkness.