Family : GEKKONIDAE
Species : Cyrtodactylus pulchellus
Size (snout to vent) : 11 cm
Size (total length) : 15 cm

References : H1, H3

This attractive gecko mainly inhabits moist rainforest up to around 2000 metres elevation. Shown here are two examples from coastal, karst limestone habitat with dry forest at Krabi, southern Thailand. By night the geckos were observed to descend close to a rocky shoreline to feed on invertebrates.

The species is identified by the bold patterning which comprises a series of thick, dark brown or reddish brown bands on a light brown background. The base of the tail is also banded but these fade away towards the tip.

As with other Cyrtodactylus species, the pupils are vertical and the fingers and toes lack pads.

The Banded Slender-toed Gecko is restricted to southern Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.  It is unclear whether the species ever occurred in Singapore, but is now never seen.   
 

Top left : juvenile with original banded tail.

Middle left : adult with regrown tail, active on coastal cliffs near the high tide mark at Krabi, Thailand.

Bottom left : coastal, karst limestone habitat at Krabi, Thailand.