REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS MONITO GECKO ABOUT The Monito Gecko (Sphaeroclactylus Micropithecus) is a lizard that only grows to about l.5 in (3.5 cm) and they weigh less than 0.01oz (0.1g). They are usually pale tan in color, with scattered dark brown scales. This species has a small, flat body with short legs and a head that appears too large for its body. The Monito Gecko makes a variety of noises – squeaking, croaking and an unusual bark. Young Monitos are darker than the adults and the tails are always lighter than the body. As a defensive mechanism geckos can lose their tails, but they always grow back. They have toe pads that expand and their tiny suction cup-like bristles enable them to climb walls and move over smooth surfaces. Because their habitat, Monito Island, is so difficult to get to most of the year, little is known about this gecko’s lifespan, feeding or breeding habits. It is believed that females lay 1 or 2 eggs that take 2-3 months to hatch and also that the reproductive season lasts from March to November. It is likely that, like most lizards, they feed on insects and little bugs. DID YOU KNOW? The Monito Gecko was discovered in 1974. It was listed as endangered in 1982 and one of the reasons this may be so is that the island they live on, between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, was used as a bombing range by the United States army during World War II, destroying much of the habitat. It is also likely that larger animals on the island prey on them, like the black rats that scientists introduced to Monito Island. In 1984 four researchers went to the island to try and see if they could find this tiny gecko. Upturning every rock they could find, they only saw 18 of them, 8 of which they captured to take home for further studies to try and find a way to help them survive. For more information visit: www.wikipedia.org. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE What animal did scientists introduce to Monito Island? a) The Yellow-shouldered Blackbird b) The Black Rat c) The Monito Gecko d) The Lesser Rock Gecko Answer is B .