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CHACO LEAF-TOED GECKO Phyllopezus pollicaris
If you are in the Chaco and have a gecko crawling up your wall, then the likelihood is that it is this species. The name "Leaf-toed" refers to the swollen tips of the toes which act like suction pads, allowing them to scale vertical surfaces. The undersides of these pads are covered in minute, rough scales, which allows the lizards to grip what appears to be an otherwise smooth surface! Like other geckoes, this species is able to change colour according to its background - though not quite to the extent of the famous chameleons of Africa! They may alternatively appear almost translucent or boldly-marked with dark brown spots and bands.
Click on images to enlarge them.
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP95PH) Lateral view of translucent adult ssp przewalskii, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP96PH) Dorsal view of same specimen wearing "dark colours" (Paul Smith July 2006).
FIGURE 3 - (FPREP97PH) Adult lateral view ssp przewalskii , PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP98PH) Dorsal view of same individual (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP99PH) Adult boldly-marked, Fortín Boquerón, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith October 2008).
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP100PH) Head detail of same individual from (FPREP97PH) and (FPREP98PH) with mites (Paul Smith October 2007).
FIGURE 7 - (FPREP660PH) Head detail, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith February 2012).
FIGURE 8 - (FPREP742PH) Juvenile, Fortín Toledo, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith September 2012).
VIDEO - (FPREP458VI) Subadult, PN Teniente Enciso, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith November 2010).
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