East sand gecko  (Stenodactylus leptocosymbotus)

This species has yet to be classified by the IUCN.

The east sand gecko is a slender, rather delicate looking gecko with long, thin legs, rounded toes, a thin tail and a relatively large head (2) (3). Like many other gecko species, the large eyes have pupils that contract to a vertical slit (3) (4). The body of the east sand gecko is beige and somewhat mottled, with a white underside. The male and female are similar in appearance, but the male east sand gecko can be recognised by the two clear pockets at the base of the tail, which contain the hemipenes (2). Juveniles have a black tail with a white tip, which is less distinct in the adult (5).

The east sand gecko is found in Oman, southeast Yemen and the eastern United Arab Emirates (1) (2) (6).

The east sand gecko is found in areas of firm sand, especially on coastal dunes, in which it digs long tunnels (2) (5). It is also reported to occur on gravel plains (3).

The east sand gecko is a nocturnal and ground-dwelling species (5) (7) which, like other geckos, is likely to feed on insects and other small invertebrates (4). Little information is available on the biology of this small lizard, but, like the related Arabian sand gecko (Stenodactylus arabicus), the female may lay a single egg (3). The young east sand gecko is reported to produce waves of movement along the extended tail when confronted by a potential predator, possibly to distract the predator’s attention towards the tail, which is expendable, and away from the more vulnerable head and body (5).

Very little information is available on the threats faced by the east sand gecko, and its status in the wild, as well as its occurrence in the pet trade, are currently unknown. However, in areas such as the United Arab Emirates, it may potentially by threatened by a range of activities that impact its habitat, such as urbanisation, development, overgrazing, overextraction of groundwater, pollution, and increasing levels of tourism (8).

There are no specific conservation measures known to be in place for the east sand gecko, and the species has yet to be assessed by the IUCN (9). However, in the United Arab Emirates, efforts are underway by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) to protect and manage biodiversity in the region, and to promote sustainable development (10). Further research is likely to be needed into the biology, populations and threats faced by the east sand gecko before this delicate small reptile can be better protected.

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.

To find out more about this and other sand geckos see:

• Hellyer, P. and Aspinall, S. (2005) The Emirates: A Natural History. Trident Press Limited, London.
• J. Craig Venter Institute - Reptiles Database:
  http://www.jcvi.org/reptiles/search.php

For more information on conservation in the United Arab Emirates see:

• The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi:
  http://www.ead.ae/en/