Subfamily GEKKONINAE - "True" Geckos

Family GEKKONIDAE

Genus AILURONYX - Sloughing Skin Geckos

A small genus: two species were known until recently, when a third was added. Not much is yet known about their natural history, and although they are definitely known on the Seychelles, their distribution on Madagascar is disputed. All have a reputation for delicacy and especially for shedding strips of skin if handled, a rather distressing experience for both lizard and handler.

Scientific Name Common Name Distribution Size Notes

Ailuronyx

A. seychellensis Bronze Gecko
Seychelles/ Skin-Sloughing Gecko Seychelles 6-10" According to Rogner, three 'forms' of A. seychellensis have been described: the 'dwarf' (6"), 'normal' (8") and 'giant' (10"). It is possible, as he says, that these may be in fact different species, especially as A. tachyscopaeus was described two years after he wrote this. Interestingly, the dwarf form is in some places sympatric with the giant form. The normal habitat of these lizards is trees or banana bunches. In captivity it would appear they can be kept in pairs (Rogner) in a suitably sized terrarium. I am uncertain of their temperature requirements, but imagine they would be similar to those of the Phelsuma (day geckos). The German Reptile Box website recommends daily temperatures of 28 deg C dropping to 22-24 deg at night. Diet is also similar to the day geckos, generally various insects and sweet fruit. Rogner also recommends that a humidity level of at least 75% be maintained in the tank to avoid shedding problems. For some interesting information on one of the known sites of the Bronze Gecko, the Vallée de Mai nature reserve in the Seychelles, click here.

A. tachyscopaeus Seychelles Sloughing Skin Gecko Seychelles ?" Species first identified in 1996 (EMBL Reptile Database). Care probably as for A. seychellensis.

A. trachygaster Seychelles Sloughing Skin Gecko Seychelles ?" Care probably as for A. seychellensis.

Bibliography

Lizards of the World, Mattison

Keeping and Breeding Lizards, Mattison

Geckos: Keeping and Breeding Them in Captivity, Walls and Walls, TFH 1999.

Breeding and Keeping Geckos, Coborn, TFH 1995.

Echsen [Lizards] 1, Rogner, Ullmer, 1992

Coming soon.... the other gecko genera.

Back to Gekkoninae | Back to Geckos | Back to Lizards | Back to Reptiles | Back to Homepage

Scientific Name	Common Name	Distribution	Size	Notes
Ailuronyx
A. seychellensis	Bronze Gecko Seychelles/ Skin-Sloughing Gecko	Seychelles	6-10"	According to Rogner, three 'forms' of A. seychellensis have been described: the 'dwarf' (6"), 'normal' (8") and 'giant' (10"). It is possible, as he says, that these may be in fact different species, especially as A. tachyscopaeus was described two years after he wrote this. Interestingly, the dwarf form is in some places sympatric with the giant form. The normal habitat of these lizards is trees or banana bunches. In captivity it would appear they can be kept in pairs (Rogner) in a suitably sized terrarium. I am uncertain of their temperature requirements, but imagine they would be similar to those of the Phelsuma (day geckos). The German Reptile Box website recommends daily temperatures of 28 deg C dropping to 22-24 deg at night. Diet is also similar to the day geckos, generally various insects and sweet fruit. Rogner also recommends that a humidity level of at least 75% be maintained in the tank to avoid shedding problems. For some interesting information on one of the known sites of the Bronze Gecko, the Vallée de Mai nature reserve in the Seychelles, click here.
A. tachyscopaeus	Seychelles Sloughing Skin Gecko	Seychelles	?"	Species first identified in 1996 (EMBL Reptile Database). Care probably as for A. seychellensis.
A. trachygaster	Seychelles Sloughing Skin Gecko	Seychelles	?"	Care probably as for A. seychellensis.