Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Golden Gecko
Geckos
Photo: Achintha de Zoysa · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Calodactylodes illingworthorum
Basic stats
Diet
Large insects (flies, beetles and their larvae, glow-worms) and other arthropods
Habitat
Granitic caves and rock outcrops in savannah and monsoon forest, dry zone
Range
Known only from Sri Lanka (eastern dry zone)
The Sri Lankan golden gecko, also called Illingworths' golden gecko, is a large rock-dwelling gecko known only from Sri Lanka, named for Margaret and Percy Illingworth. It lives in the monsoon forests of the eastern dry zone at places such as Namadagala, Monaragala, Nilgala, Gal Oya National Park, Buttala and Ampara. The head is wider than the body and the pupil vertical. The back is yellow-ochre with dark brown spots and the throat is bright yellow or orange (Wikipedia, general species account).
It inhabits rocky sites such as granitic caves, and a single cave may house up to 50 individuals. It leaves the rocks at dusk to forage in nearby vegetation and returns in the morning. Its call, given through the day and more often at dusk, is a harsh chuckling note. It is oviparous. Nationally Endangered (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Sri Lankan Golden Gecko eat?
- Large insects (flies, beetles and their larvae, glow-worms) and other arthropods
- What habitat does the Sri Lankan Golden Gecko live in?
- Granitic caves and rock outcrops in savannah and monsoon forest, dry zone
- Where is the Sri Lankan Golden Gecko found?
- Known only from Sri Lanka (eastern dry zone)