Golden-tailed gecko
Common name: Golden-tailed gecko
Scientific name: Strophurus taenicauda
Animal groups: Geckos
Conservation status: This species is list as Rare in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992).
Description: The golden-tailed gecko is grey or white patterned with black patches of varying size over its body. An orange-brown stripe runs along the upper side of its tail. Its eye has a vertical pupil surrounded by a bright orange pupil edged with fine white dots. Its body is 70mm long and the tail is slightly shorter (about 70 percent of the body length).
Habitat and distribution: The golden-tailed gecko lives in open woodland and open forest where it shelters under loose bark and hollow limbs.
It occurs over the Darling Downs in southern Queensland and north to coastal central Queensland. Almost all known records of this species have occurred within the Brigalow Belt bioregion.
Life history and behaviour: The golden-tailed gecko is arboreal (i.e. lives in trees) where it shelters under loose bark or in hollows, emerging at night to feed on insects. If disturbed it can produce a thick fluid from its tail. This is probably a means of deterring predators.
Females lay two eggs.
Threatening processes: Vast areas of the Brigalow Belt have been cleared for agriculture, removing or fragmenting much of the habitat of this gecko.
Recovery actions: Further clearing of open woodland and forest within the brigalow belt needs to be controlled to protect its remaining habitat.
Further information: Cogger, H.G. (2000). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed.
Last updated: 30 August 2005
