Sphaerodactylus klauberi


Sphaerodactylus klauberi is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae The species is endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico.

Common names

Common names for S. klauberi include Klauber's dwarf gecko, Klauber's least gecko, Puerto Rican highland sphaero, Puerto Rican upland gecko, and Puerto Rican upland sphaero.

Etymology

The epithet or specific name, klauberi, is in honor of American herpetologist Laurence Monroe Klauber.

Description

Sphaerodactylus klauberi is one of the larger-sized Sphaerodactylus species. It may attain a snout-to-vent length of. Its colorings consist of a dark-brown upper body with darker-brown or black spots which become larger on the tail. The underbody is usually orange or reddish-pink with a gray throat that may have dark mottled areas.

Behavior

Like all Sphaerodactylus species, S. klauberi is voiceless. It is mostly active at night.

Diet

S. klauberi is an insectivore.

Reproduction

The female of S. klauberi lays one hard-shelled egg that can be as large as her head. The egg's incubation lasts 2 to 3 months.

Habitat

S. klauberi specimens have been collected between 160 ft and 3,600 ft in elevation. They can sometimes be seen on the ground or on low branches in the Tabonuco, Colorado, and Palma Sierra sections of the Caribbean National Rain Forest.