Namib desert gecko explained

The Namib desert gecko (Pachydactylus vanzyli), also known commonly as the Kaoko web-footed gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is native to southern Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, vanzyli, is in honor of amateur naturalists Mr. & Mrs. Ben Van Zyl of Namibia.^[1]

Geographic range

P. vanzyli is found in Angola and Namibia.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of P. vanzyli is gravel plains.^[2]

Description

Adults of P. vanzyli usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 5–. The maximum recorded SVL is 6.6cm (02.6inches).^[2]

Behavior

P. vanzyli is nocturnal.^[2]

Diet

P. vanzyli preys upon small beetles and termites.^[2]

Reproduction

P. vanzyli is oviparous.

Further reading

• Barts M (2018). "Auf der Suche nach dem Kaokogecko, Pachydactylus (früher Kaokogecko) vanzyli". Draco 16 (4): 24–29. (in German).
• Bauer AM, Lamb T (2005). "Phylogenetic relationships of southern African geckos in the Pachydactylus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae)". African Journal of Herpetology 54 (2): 105–129. (Pachydactylus vanzyli, new combination).
• Rösler H (2000). "Kommentierte Liste der rezent, subrezent und fossil bekannten Geckotaxa (Reptilia: Gekkonomorpha)". Gekkota 2: 28–153. (Kaokogecko vanzyli, p. 90). (in German).
• Steyn W, Haacke WD (1966). "A New Web-footed Gecko (Kaokogecko vanzyli, gen. et sp. nov.) from the North-western South West Africa". Cimbebasia (18): 1–23. (Kaokogecko vanzyli, new species).

Notes and References

1. [Richard Allen "Bo" Crombet-Beolens|Beolens B]
2. [William Roy Branch|Branch, Bill]