Iranian Fat-tailed Gecko

More Information

Like other leopard geckos, Iranian fat-tailed geckos have yellow skin with black spots. Their tails are segmented; they can be detached to evade predators and will grow back. These geckos also have clawed toes. Also, the shape of their auditory system makes it possible to shine a light directly through their heads from the side. They can get up to 8 inches long.

These geckos live in dry and semi-dry deserts. They may lay two eggs at a time. The sex of their offspring is determined by temperatures during incubation, which lasts about 50 days. Young geckos reach maturity at around 18 months.

Did You Know?

• These reptiles are part of the Eublepharis genus, which includes several species of leopard geckos.
• Iranian fat-tailed geckos have movable eyelids and vertical slit pupils; other geckos have a protective membrane over their eyes, which they can lick clean.
• Their scientific name angramainyu comes from a spirit in the Iranian religion of Zoroastrianism and refers to the gecko’s nocturnal nature.