European leaf-toed gecko
European Journal of gecko ( Euleptes europaea)
The European Journal of gecko ( Euleptes europaea ) is a gecko species from the family Phyllodactylidae. He is the smallest lizard in Europe.
Features
The European Journal of gecko reaches a total length of an average of 6 and a maximum of 8 inches, making it the smallest Echsensart Europe. He works from his appearance, her relatively tender. The surface of the body appears quite smooth, since it is covered uniformly with the smallest body scales. The body top is reddish gray or brownish and has limited washy dark spots or blotches on where in turn are brighter spots or stains. The coloring of the underside is dirty white. The egg-shaped, long head is clearly distinct from the neck. On the sides of the head, a faded dark stripe runs. The body is flattened and short legs are also short and the muzzle is rounded. The tail is constricted at its base and tapers towards its tip. On the widened end members of the toes are leaf-shaped, paired adhesive pad.
Occurrence
The distribution area of the European Journal finger Geckos includes Corsica, Sardinia and numerous offshore islands, the south of France, parts of Italy as well as some belonging to Tunisia Islands ( Aguglia, Galitone, Cani ). In France, the kind in the area around Nice, on the Îles d' Hyères and some located in the Gulf of Marseille Islands is to be found. In Italy, it comes at Genoa, in the Gulf of La Spezia on the islands Tino and Tinetto, in Tuscany and on the Tuscan archipelago. The current area is considered reliktär; probably the European Journal gecko was formerly much more widespread on the mainland than it is today.
The species is found from sea level and comes in Corsica at altitudes of 1150 meters before. It settles rocky habitats, where she hides under rocks, in crevices, in laying stone walls and in the interstitial system of screes. As a hiding place but can also leaves and bark are used. And in buildings of European Journal gecko is rarely found. It requires a high level of humidity in its hiding place.
Way of life
The European Journal of gecko is almost entirely crepuscular and nocturnal. He holds a winter rest period from November to March. In April and May, the males fight each other fiercely. The females lay on stones in rock and rubble columns from two kalkschalige eggs. These are 9 mm long and 8 mm wide. The food of the European Journal finger Geckos consists mainly of small insects such as small beetles, ants and mosquitoes, further also from woodlice. About predators of the species is not known. She comes across as Abwehrruf from a very high and faint beeping.
System
We distinguish between no subspecies of the European Journal finger geckos. A synonym of the species is Phyllodactylus europaeus.
Endangering
The IUCN classifies the European leaf -toed Gecko is a threat as low ( Near Threatened ). In Corsica and Sardinia, the species is threatened locally due to loss of habitat due to fire and urbanization. The populations of small islands may be threatened by the introduction of predators. The populations on the mainland in France and in Italy at Genoa may be at risk.