Common wonder gecko  (Teratoscincus scincus)

The common wonder geckohas yet to be classified by the IUCN.

One of the largest and arguably most beautiful geckos in its range, the common wonder gecko (Teratoscincus scincus) is a fairly robust species with a broad head, long and powerfully built limbs, and a rather short tail (2) (3). The adult is yellowish or buff, with darker and lighter spots or broken stripes. The belly and sides are white. Hatchling wonder geckos are more brilliantly coloured than the adults, being bright yellow with black bands (2) (3). 

The eyes of the common wonder gecko are large, lidless and quite prominent, giving this species the alternative name of the ‘frog-eyed gecko’ (2) (3) (4).

Unlike many other geckos, the common wonder gecko lacks the expanded toe pads used in climbing (2) (3). Instead, the toes have a fringe of comb-like scales that allow the wonder gecko to move more easily in sandy habitats (2). The scales of the head are small, while those of the body, limbs and tail are noticeably enlarged, particularly along the upper side of the tail (2) (3).

In addition to producing a sharp call, the common wonder gecko is able to produce a loud, defensive hissing or scraping sound by writhing the tail, causing the large scales to rub together (2) (5).

The common wonder gecko has a fairly wide distribution within the Caspian Basin, being found in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzistan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Its distribution extends as far as western China (2) (3) (6).

The common wonder gecko inhabits deserts and other arid areas, including sand dunes and gravel plains, below elevations of around 200 metres (1).

The common wonder gecko is active at night and is an excellent digger, excavating burrows down through the dry surface layers of sand and into moister subsurface layers. These burrows help the common wonder gecko to reduce water loss through its rather permeable skin during the day (2) (5).

The skin is particularly thin and delicate, and easily tears if the gecko is handled. The tail is also easily shed, as an escape strategy, but can be regenerated (2) (5). If threatened, the common wonder gecko displays a distinctive defence posture in which it stands on tiptoe, with the mouth open, the throat area expanded, the back arched and the tail writhing. If provoked further, it may squeak, dart forward and bite, before retreating to the burrow (2).

Little information is available on the diet or breeding behaviour of the common wonder gecko. In captivity, it may feed on insects such as beetles, crickets and grasshoppers, as well as snails, baby mice, and even its own hatchlings (2) (3). The female wonder gecko lays two hard-shelled eggs, which hatch after around 70 to 100 days (2) (4). The lifespan of the common wonder gecko in captivity may be up to 15 years or more (3).

Little information is available on the threats faced by the common wonder gecko. However, Teratoscincus species are common in the pet trade, and most specimens are reported to be wild-caught (2) (3), potentially posing a threat to wild populations. 

There are no specific conservation measures in place for the wonder gecko, and its conservation status has yet to be assessed by the IUCN. Further research is needed into the biology, ecology and populations of this colourful gecko, and the impact of collection for the pet trade is likely to need monitoring.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

To find out more about reptile conservation see:

• International Reptile Conservation Foundation:
  www.ircf.org