[G. stentori]
Skunk Gecko
The genus Gekko incorporates about 25 species, most of which are robust and on the upper size of the gecko range, usually 8-12". Some are extremely colourful, such as the Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko. Most are fairly hardy, and a number make attractive vivarium subjects, even if they pack a hard bite. All hail from south-east Asia.
Since all of these geckos hail from broadly the same area and very similar habitats, ie tropical rainforest and areas of high humidity, their care is relatively straightforward. Cages for these lizards should be vertically rather than horizontally spacious and furnished with a good selection of branches, if not living plants. Overwhelming heat is not needed but a basking light at the top to bring the temperature into the eighties seems appropriate. Being nocturnal, most will not need UV light, but humidity is necessary. Either mist the cage once or twice a day or employ a drip system. Even then spraying may be necessary since some geckos will prefer to lick the drops off leaves rather than use a water bowl. Despite the relative ease of breeding such geckos as the Tokay, most of these geckos seen for sale are wild-caught imports, so they should be quarantined and a fecal sample taken to a reptile vet to check for parasites.
McKeown and Zagorski, and Walls and Walls, list those species most commonly seen within the trade. Although species such as the Tokay Gecko are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered. New species are still being discovered, for example G. scientiadventura which was only described in 2004.
| QUICK INDEX | ||
| G. athymus, Smooth-Scaled Narrow-Disked Gecko | G. auriverrucosus | G. badenii |
| G. chinensis | G. gekko, Tokay Gecko | G. gigante, Gigante Narrow-Disked Gecko |
| G. grossmanni | G. hokouensis | G. japonicus, Japanese Gecko |
| G. kikuchii | G. liboensis | G. mindorensis, Mindoro Narrow-Disked Gecko |
| G. monarchus, Butterfly Gecko | G. palawanensis, Palawan Narrow-Disked Gecko | G. palmatus |
| G. petricolus, Yellow-Backed/Laos Gecko | G. porosus, Batan Narrow-Disked Gecko | G. romblon, Romblon Narrow-Disked Gecko |
| G. scabridus | G. siamensis | G. similignum |
| G. smaragdini, Emerald Gecko | G. smithi, Green-Eyed Gecko | G. subpalmatus |
| G. swinhonis | G. taibaiensis | G. tawaensis, Tawa Gecko |
| G. taylori | G. ulikowski, Golden Gecko | G. verreauxi |
| G. vittatus, White-Striped/Lined/Skunk Gecko | G. yakuensis |
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Distribution | Size | Notes |
| Gekko | ||||
| G. athymus |
Smooth-Scaled Narrow-Disked Gecko | Palawan (Philippine Islands) | 10-12cm SVL | Rare species found only in the Thumb Peak area of Palwan Island. See Alcala for type localities. The head is somewhat depressed and wider than the body. Scalation: dorsally and laterally granular without tubercles: 1 internasal: toes have about 1/3 webbing between 3rd and 4th, with 19-21 scansors beneath 4th; subcaudals transversely broadened. Coloration (preserved specimens): dorsally greyish- to reddish-brown with darker borad transverse bands which are most heavily flecked with brown and dark edge: ventrally whitish or with scattered brown flecks. Reproduction: males have 22-23 preanal and femoral pores. [SOURCES: Alcala, Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. auriverrucosus |
? Gecko | E China (Shangxi province) | TL 12-13½ cm | Found in fairly high densities when described by Zhou et al. Prefers to perch on high portions of walls and may appear in artificially lit areas in search of prey. Scalation details: rostral separated from nostril; nostril surrounded by 1st supralabial, supransal and 2 small scales; supranasals moderately enlarged, either in contact or separated by a minute scale; 9-11 supralabials, 9-11 infralabials; mental pentagonal upper margin of ear opening has cluster of enlarged conical tubercles; other tubercles are uniformly scattered over body except beyond tail base. Other: rudimentary webbing between digits; 6-8 subdigital lamellae under 1st and 4th toes. Coloration (preserved specimen, see Zhou et al): dorsal overall pale grey; brown bar from nostril through eye and ear to shoulder; brown markings on top of head; 5-6 transverse brown bands on dorsal surfaces of neck and body, 9-13 on dorsum of tail; posterior edge of transverse bands darkly edged; transverse brown bands also present on dorsal surfaces of limbs. Venter light reddish yellow. Reproduction details: males have 8-11 (usually 8-9) preanal pores. Season is June-July [SOURCE: Zhou et al]. |
| G. badenii |
? Gecko | S Vietnam | SVL 7½cm | The EMBL database entry notes that this species is closely related to G. petricolus. Scalation details: 1-3 internasals. Coloration: dorsal pattern of 4-8 very narrow and sometimes interrupted dorsal bands. Reproduction: males have 14-18 preanal pores [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. chinensis |
? Gecko | S China (incl. Hongkong, Hainan, westwards through Yunnan, Sichuan), N Vietnam | SVL 7cm | Beige coloured species with a narrow paler dorsal stripe that has six chevrons or patches of the same colour reaching as far back as the tail root, plus a sprinkling of darker brown spots (see Adler and Zhao, plate 21G). Somewhat less stocky than G. gekko but still robust in appearance. Scalation details: 1 internasal which always exceeds nasorostral in size: tubercles absent on dorsum. Other: webbing present between digits. Coloration: 4 dorsal crossbands, indented with light flecks in between. Reproduction: males have 17-27 preanal pores (18-24 as per Rösler et al 2004). [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. gecko | Tokay Gecko | SE Asia (inc. Philippines, China and Vietnam): USA (Florida) | 10-12" | Still one of the most common pet lizards, although its popularity seems to have declined slightly due to the growing availability of other species and its aggressive nature and hard bite. Walls recommends keeping them individually due to their disposition. Once acclimatised in captivity it is a hardy and attractive lizard. In addition to its natural range, a number of this species have become settled in Florida. See also Tokay Gecko page. The common name derives from the call made by these lizards, which has been described as a "to-keh" or "to-ko" sound. They are among the few lizards with true vocal sacs. Scalation: rostral separated from nostril; 0-1 internasal (at least in Vietnamese individuals: see Rösler et al, 2004); dorsally, large flat scale: large dorsal tubercles in 10-12 rows at midbody: 17-21 narrow, entire scansors beneath 4th toe: all digits clawed except 1st: 12-18 preanal pores, no femoral pores. Coloration: overall a turquoise to greyish-blue, with red spots: tubercles are often orange or red): ventrally whitish. Reproduction: lays clutches of 2 eggs, which in the Philippines at least are glued to substrate inside tree holes (Alcala): incubation time is 78-182 days, dependent upon temperature. |
| G. gigante |
Gigante Narrow-Disked Gecko | Philippine Islands (Gigante Island, Iloilo Province) | ?" | This species is endemic to the one island, from where it derives its name (nothing to do with being giant!). It inhabits walls of caves not far from the entrance. Scalation: dorsal tubercles intermediate-sized and rounded in 15-17 longitudinal rows at midbody: tail ventrally covered in enlarged scute-like scales. Other: toes lack webbing but all have claws, with 17-20 scansors beneath the 4th toe: males have 54-64 preanal and femoral pores in a continuous row. Coloration (preserved specimens): dorsally reddish- to brownish-grey with varying darker brown markings or well-defined spots anteriorly: ventrally "uniform dusky flesh" (Alcala). Reproduction: no details available. [SOURCE: Alcala]. |
| G. grossmanni |
? Gecko | S Vietnam | Max SVL 89mm | This species is apparently closely related to G. petricolus, G. ulikovskii and G. badenii. Scalation details: 0-1 internasal. Coloration: dorsum with several rows of transversally arranged light flecks. Reproduction: males have 12-14 preanal pores [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. hokouensis |
Hokou Gecko | E China, Japan and Taiwan | 4-5¼": SVL <=7cm | Similar in form to G. gekko but the colouring is a pattern of dark on light brown, with alternate light and darker brown chevrons or forming a row down the back and tail. This species was at one time considered a subspecies of G. japonicus, but Zhou et al established the differences as follows: (a) hokouensis has a relatively large cloacal spur, whereas japonicus has 2-3 smaller spurs beneath 3 larger spurs (b) hokouensis lacks tubercles on the 4 limbs and has relatively few around the body, whereas japonicus has tubercles on dorsal surface of forearm and on shank, and a large number around the middle of the body (c) hokouensis is a montane species, while japonicus is widely distributed in human settlements in the plains. Although in some areas the two species were sympatric, no intermediate forms were found, perhaps surprisingly. A study of the herpetofauna of Nakanokamishina Island, an uninhabited rocky islet in the Ryuku Archipelago inhabited mainly by seabirds, showed that the species there was significantly larger than elsewhere, and lived in crevices in the rocks or between the detritus, since their more normal habitats (tree barks and old buildings) were lacking. Scalation details: supransals separated by a small scale; dorsal tubercles relatively convex; differs from japonicus in having a large undivided tubercular scale on each side of the tail base [Pope]. |
| G. japonicus | Japanese Gecko | E China (west to E Sichuan and northward to S Shaanxi and Gansu), S Korea, Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Yakushima; Ryukyu Islands), Philippines (Tablas) | Max SVL 74mm | This gecko has at times been placed in the genera Platydactylus, Luperosaurus and Hemidactylus before being considered a Gekko species by Kluge in 1993. Its range would seem to indicate a more temperate habitat than many of its SE Asian congenerics. See the EMBL database entry. The favoured habitat of this species is human habitation, perhaps just as well in the more crowded parts of its range! See the G. japonicus section of Reptiles of Hiroshima. Scalation details: 1-2 internasals; relatively small granular scales on dorsum; convex tubercles moderately enlarged in dorsal surfaces of body and shanks, usually absent on thigh. Reproduction details: males have 4-8 preanal pores (poss. 6-9 in Vietnamese individuals: see Rösler et al 2004). Females lay 1-2 clutches of 2 eggs between May and August: the eggs take about 50 days to hatch. [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. kikuchii |
? Gecko | Lanyu island (S coast of Taiwan) | ?" | Males have 24 femoral pores on each side. |
| G. liboensis | E China (holotype known from Guizhou province) | SVL >8cm | Listed as a synonym of G. hokouensis in the EMBL reptile database, who nevertheless cite other sources that describe this as a valid species. Zhou et al cite the main differences as (a) supranasals separated from each other in G. hokouensis (b) G. hokouensis has conical dorsal tubercles (c) G. hokouensis is <7 cm in length (presumably SVL). Scalation details: rostral wider than deep; nostril surrounded by nostral, 1st supralabial, supranasal and 2 small scales; supranasals large and in contact; 12 supralabials, 11 infralabials; mental triangular. Other: subdigital lamellae 8 on 1st finger and 9 on 4th, rudimentary webbing. Coloration (in preservative): greyish tan; brown bar runs along lower margin of eye almost to ear; 9 dorsal transverse brown bands on neck and body; transverse brown bands on dorsal surfaces of limbs; venter pale reddish-yellow. Reproduction details: no data yet available [SOURCE: Zhou et al] | |
| G. mindorensis |
Mindoro Narrow-Disked Gecko | N & C Philippines (inc. Mindoro and Panay) | 5½-8½ cm (SVL) | This fairly common species is found in trees and also on the walls of caves, near the entrance. It is found from sea level up to 800-900m elevation. The head is broad but otherwise the size and form are somewhat variable (Alcala). Scalation: dorsal tubercles in 16-19 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody: 50-60+ enlarged preanal and femoral scales bearing 48-60 preanal and femoral pores in males: 12-15 scansors beneath 4th toe: ventral scales of tail are greatly enlarged and scute-like. Coloration (preserved specimens in alcohol): dorsally tan to dark grey or greyish-tan, usually a pattern of vaguely defined narrow and uneven darker transverse bands, or darker part emphasised as a "median row" (Alcala) or two rows of short bars: ventrally "dark ivory to tan with numerous brown flecks". Reproduction: no details available. |
| G. monarchus |
Butterfly Gecko, Variable-Backed Narrow-Disked Gecko | SE Asia | 4-8 cm (SVL) | A brown gecko, similar in shape to the Tokay but with ten pairs of small black dots on either side of the back which are sometimes separated by a narrow pale stripe, this apparently making an outline that has inspired its common name. Males are distinguished by larger pre-anal pores. Imports of this gecko have decreased recently but Walls recommends it as a good pet if you can handle its aggressive nature. In the Philippines at least it is a common species (Alcala), occuping a variety of habitats in tropical rainforest from sea level to 350m altitude, including leaves on the floor and around trees, arboreal ferns, and beneath rotting logs or tree bark. Scalation: dorsal tubercles vary in size, in 16-20 irregular longitudinal rows at midbody: 12-14 entire scansors beneath 4th toes: all toes except 1st are webbed and clawed: midventral scales are all enlarged and scute-like: 30-38 preanal and femoral pores in males. Coloration: see above. Reproduction: eggs are laid beneath dry leaves on the forest floor and in rotting logs (Alcala): hatchlings are 2-2½cm SVL. |
| G. palawanensis |
Palawan Narrow-Disked Gecko | Philippines (Palawan) | ?" | Endemic to the island: found at low elevations under the loose bark of trees, in small caves and on or under rocks in dry stream beds. Considered rare by Alcala. One distinguishing mark is a low lateral skin fold on the body. Scalation: dorsal tubercles are relatively uniform and concial in about 10 irregular longitudinal rows: tail covered dorsally by small scales with annuli at about every 12 rows: males have 65-71 preanal and femoral pores: 16-18 entire scansors beneath 4th toe: all digits except inner one are clawed. Coloration (preserved specimens): dorsally greyish to reddish-brown, with a series of darker squarish or quadrangular spots on either side the vertebral line (Alcala): usually 6 pairs between nape and tail base: also vague dark lines and small light spots: ventrally white to tan, with each scale having one or more dark brown flecks. Reproduction: no details available. |
| G. palmatus |
? Gecko | China and Vietnam | Max SVL 79mm | This species is not mentioned in Adler & Zhao. In appearance it is one of the "brown" geckos and somewhat less bulky than G. gekko and other congenerics. Scalation details: 0-2 internasals. Coloration: dorsal 6 rows of dark flecks from occipital and nuchal region backwards, with lighter interspaces. Reproduction: males have 24-27 preanal pores. [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. petricolus | Yellow-Backed Gecko, Laos Gecko | Laos, Thailand and possibly Cambodia | 10" | Another large gecko that differs from most of the above in its choice of habitat, preferring crevices in sandstone faces (Rogner). Males are very yellow across the dorsal surfaces, turning grey on the legs and head and white on the ventral surface, with bands of light and dark spots running across the body. Females are similarly coloured but lack the grey on the head and legs. These geckos also have the normal sexual dimorphism, ie hemipenile bulges and preanal pores in the male. Rogner recommends keeping G. petricolus in a pair per terrarium with a sandstone rockpile and soil substrate: humidity should be kept lower, and the summer temperatures slightly higher, than for most of the above geckos, as this is a saxicolous (rock-dwelling) rather than an arboreal species. I have not seen any of these geckos advertised either in the UK or USA, so if they do become available, breeding would be a definite priority - see Rogner's account for details. Scalation details: body covered with fine subequal granules, interspersed with somewhat enlarged tubercles which form irregular rows, separated by 2-5 granules; postnasal and frontal areas depressed; rostral enters nostril; venter has about 30 rows of larger cycloid scales, slightly imbricate; subcaudals widened except at tail base and at tip; 9-10 preanal pores, no femoral pores; tail slender and depressed. Coloration: overall yellow with lavender-grey head; numerous round whitish spots. [SOURCES: Taylor 1962, Rogner]. |
| G. porosus |
Batan Narrow-Disked Gecko, Taylor's Gecko | N Philippines | ?" | No data available. |
| G. romblon |
Romblon Narrow-Disked Gecko | Philippines (Tablas and Sibuyan Islands) | 6-9cm SVL | Arboreal specimen found in primary or secondary forest at low altitudes in bark crevices, rock crevices or leaf axils. Considered rare by Alcala. Head is slightly wider than the body. Scalation: dorsal tubercles are small, rounded and low, in 12-14 even longitudinal rows at midbody: males have 70-81 preanal and femoral pores: 14-16 entire scansors beneath 4th toe: digits lack webbing but all have claws. Coloration (preserved specimens): dorsally reddish- to dark brownish-grey: much darker blotches or very vague and irregular marginal transverse blotches in immature specimens: ventrally much lighter with dark flecks on some scales. Reproduction: no details available. |
| G. scabridus |
? Gecko | China | ?" | Not mentioned in Adler & Zhao. See EMBL database entry. Zhou et al found this species in very high densities, where it seemed to favour walls regardless of the amount of lighting. Scalation details: rostral rectangular, width less than twice the height; nostril surrounded by rostral, 1st supralabial, supranasal and 2 small scales; supranasals moderately enlarged, slightly wider than long, usually separated by single scale but sometimes by 2, or may be in contact; supralabials 9-11, infralabials 9-11; mental pentagonal; relatively small granular scales on dorsum, convex tubercles present in high density on dorsum (where they are quite enlarged) and also on sides and thighs, in 17-21 irregular rows around midbody. Other: 6-9 subdigital lamellae on 1st toe and 7-9 on 4th toe. Coloration (in preservative): dorsally pale brown; 2 brown bars from nostril through eye to temporal region; 7-9 transverse bars on neck and body, and 10-14 transverse brown bars on dorsal surface of tail; dorsally covered with irregular brown spots and reticulations on head, body and limbs; venter light reddish-yellow. Reproduction details: males have 10-15 (usually 12-13) preanal pores. |
| G. scientiadventura | Vietnam: poss. Laos | TL 15½cm | This species was described in 2004 from an area of limestone forest. It is distinguished from other Vietnamese Gekko species by the lack of middorsal tubercles. I have not included any natural history details because of the scant data available and also because the species is only known so far from its type locality, making it (rightly) unlikely that any will become available to keepers for some years if ever. Scalation details: nostril contacts rostral; no internasals; posterior ciliaries spiny. Tubercular scales are lacking on upper side of head, body and tail. Other: 14-17 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th toe; all digits clawed except inner ones; slight webbing at base of digits, except interspace between toes 4 and 5. Coloration: dorsally yellowish to brownish in life, with 7 dorsal large light spots that may be expanded to become lateral narrow wavy bands, the latter also sometimes being broken up into flecks; tail has 7-10 light crossbands; gular region and parts of venter marbled. Iris metallic green-yellowish, pupil has bronze-coloured margin. Tail ventrally variable, with pale or dark grey to ochre or blackish-brown flecks. See Rösler et al for details of coloration in preservative. Reproduction details: communal egg-laying appears to occur. Rösler et al have described behaviour of specimens collected and of some which were raised by one of the authors. [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004]. | |
| G. siamensis |
? Gecko | Thailand | ?" | In appearance rather like a brown and slimmer Tokay Gecko. The patterning consists of a few prominent white spots scattered across the dorsum. The EMBL database entry links to a picture. |
| G. similignum |
? Gecko | S China, N Vietnam | ?" | Not mentioned in Adler & Zhao, but there may be some confusion with this species and G. chinensis. See EMBL database entry for more details. |
| G. smaragdini |
Emerald Gecko | Philippines | 8?" | I have not yet found much data on this gecko, but presume that care is similar to that for the rest of this genus. It may now be found classified as Pseudogekko smaragdinus. |
| G. smithii [G. stentori] |
Green-eyed Gecko, Large Forest Gecko | SE Asia | 9-11" | There is some vagueness about this species as it has a wide distribution and until recently covered several other species, including the recently named G. Taylori, which is the correct species name for those Green-Eyed Geckos imported from Thailand. The true G. stentor species hail from the Indonesian islands: others are imported from Burma. See also comments in EMBL database entry. It is fairly large, being on average only slightly less smaller than a Tokay, and one site records a length of up to 37cm (just over 12"). The common name derives from the green iris of these lizards. Although closely related to the Tokay, unlike that species it is not a commensal of mankind. Coloration: overall brown- to greenish-grey, patterned dorsally with single regularly arranged white and dark brown spots; ventrally yellow with dark brown spots; characteristic Y-shaped marking on the head. Click here for a picture [SOURCE: Rösler]. |
| G. subpalmatus |
? Gecko | S China | Max SVL 78mm | Unusual-looking member of the genus in that the head is somewhat elongated and pointed and the colouring is a dark chocolate brown, relieved only by a series of longitudinal gold stripes down the back which widen on the tail to form broad hoops. A short stripe of the same colour extends backwards from the eye (see Adler and Zhao, Plate 22B). It is found mainly in the mountains at heights of 500-800m, although also on Nan Ao island (see EMBL database entry). In some texts this species may be referred to as G. melli. Scalation details: 1-2 internasal; tubercles absent on dorsum; subcaudals transversely broadened. Other: webbing present between digits; toes basally narrowly webbed; 7-10 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe. Reproduction details: males have 5-11 preanal pores. |
| G. swinhonis |
? Gecko | N China (S to Zhejiang on E coast) | ?" | Scalation details: relatively large scales on dorsum, flat dorsal tubercles present in low density. |
| G. taibaiensis |
? Gecko | C China (Shaanxi province) | Max SVL 69mm | Closely related to G. swinhonis and G. japonicus. 4-6 preanal pores arranged in an interrupted order. 7-8 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe. No other data available. [SOURCE: Rösler et al 2004, citing from English summary of Chinese description by Song 1985]. |
| G. tawaensis |
Tawa Gecko | Japan, inc. Hiroshima &around Sea of Japan | 3½-5": max SVL 7cm | A brown and beige-banded gecko that is found among rocks along the coast and around the mountains (at up to 1,800 ft) of its range. Females lay their single clutch of eggs in July-August in a crevice, and the geckos hibernate in rock crevices during the cold season. For pictures and more data see the Tawa Gecko page of Reptiles of Hiroshima. Species described only in 1956: see EMBL database entry. This rare species is found in the Red Data Book of Hiroshima. Scalation: internasals present; lacks dorsal tubercles. Subcaudals anteriorly mesially divided. Other: toes basally narrowly webbed; 12 subdigital lamellae under 4th toe. Reproduction: males lack preanofemoral pores. |
| G. taylori |
? Gecko | C Thailand | ?" | G. taylori are usually a dark brown colour. Care requirements are basically similar to the Tokay. Apparently imports of these lizards have fallen off in recent years. See also notes in EMBL database entry. |
| G. ulikowski | (Vietnam) Golden Gecko | SE Asia | 6-7" | This species was only described in 1993, but since then has begun to enter the West in large numbers. For this reason alone it is worth trying to breed this lizard, since there is concern about ecological impact in Vietnam. Golden Geckos have the hardiness and appetite of the Tokay but lack the latter's aggression and bite. They can be kept in the same manner as G. vittatus (see above). Males can easily be distinguished from females as the latter lack the bright yellow on the dorsal surface (back) and are usually smaller. Apart from the usual insect and arthropod fare, Golden Geckos will apparently take some fruit baby food, nectar, etc. McKeown and Zagorski recommend raising any hatchlings separately from the parents. Scalation details: 1 internasal. Coloration: overall golden colour: dorsum may have up to 8 narrow, light dorsal bands. Reproduction: males have 10-15 preanal pores. [SOURCES: McKeown & Zagorski, Walls & Walls, Rösler et al 2004]. |
| G. verreauxi |
? Gecko | Andaman Islands (Indian Ocean) | ?" | No data available. |
| G. vittatus |
Skunk Gecko |
SE Asia |
|
This attractive gecko has become quite common in UK pet shops recently. It is unmistakeable due to its white stripe running from the tail to the neck, where it usually splits into a Y shape, a line then continuing to run up to each eye. Males can be distinguished from females by the larger femoral pores. These lizards are a little more delicate than the Tokay and, being rainforest geckos, require a high humidity of 75-80%. McKeown and Zagorski recommend one male-female pair to a 10 gallon terrarium or one male and 2-3 females per 15-20 gallon terrarium, with broad branches and live potted plants for climbing. Daytime temperatures should be 80-85, dropping into the seventies at night. Egg incubation is much as for Tokays. |
| G. yakuensis |
Yaku Gecko | NE Ryuku Islands (Japan) | 5-6" | Species only described in 1968: see EMBL database entry for details and link to picture. This is a greenish gecko with slate brown chevrons and a somewhat lighter build than some of its congenerics. |
General Care and Maintenance of Tokay Geckos and Related Species, McKeown and Zaworski, Herpetocultural Library 1997. If you want to keep any of the Gekko or Ptychozoon species, I thoroughly recommend this book.
Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna. Volume X, Amphibians and Reptiles, Prof. Angel C Alcala, Natural Resources Management Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines, 1986. Very useful field guide to the herps of this area, which is usually under-represented in literature. One slight drawback is that the photographs are black-and-white and the descriptions of colour for many species are drawn from preserved specimens: otherwise this book is to be recommended if you can obtain a copy.
"Three New Species of Gekko and Remarks on Gekko hokouensis (Lacertiformes, Gekkonidae)", Kai-ya Zhou, Yue-zhen Liu and De-jun Li, Smithsonian Herpetological Information Service no. 77, 1989 (originally appearing in Acta Zootaxonimica Sinica 7(4):pp 438-446, October 1982). Describes G. auriverrucosus, G. liboensis and G. scabridus, as well as confirming G. hokouensis as a good species and providing a useful key for Chinese Gekko species.
"Four new snakes and a new lizard from South China", Clifford H Pope, American Museum Novitates, Number 325, September 15 1928.
"AT Terrarientierlexikon: Gekko smithi, (GRAY 1842), Smith's Grünäugiger Riesengecko", Aquarien Terrarien, Heft 4, April 1983.
"A New Lizard of the Genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam", Herbert Rösler, Thomas Ziegler, Vu Ngoc Thanh, Hans-Werner Herrmann and Wolfgang Böhme, Bonner Zoologische Beiträge, Band 53 (2004), Heft 1/2, pp 135-148, Bonn, July 2005. Describes G. scientiadventura, with a further key for Vietnamese Gekko species and certain details of many other species in the genus.
"Reptiles in a seabird colony: herpetofauna of Nakanokamishima Islands of the Yaeyama Group, Ryukyu Archipelage", Hiroyoshi Kohno and Hidetoshi Ota. A study of the limited herpetofauna (G. hokouensis and the colubrid snake Dinodon rufozonatus walli) found on an uninhabited islet.
Herpetology of China, Er-mi Zhao and Kraig Adler, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 1993.
Lizards of the World, Mattison
Keeping and Breeding Lizards, Mattison
Echsen [Lizards], Rogner, Ulmer 1992
Geckos: Keeping and Breeding Them in Captivity, Walls and Walls, TFH 1999.
Grzimek, Volume 6, Reptiles
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