:quality(80))
Blue gem
"The turquoise dwarf gecko is found in the wild only in Tanzania, in an area only 20 km2 in size."
Discover in real lifeHabitat:
Screw palms in western Tanzania
Food:
insects
Lifespan:
5 years
Weight:
1.8 grams
Number of eggs:
1 - 2 eggs at a time / 20 eggs per year
Incubation period:
50 - 90 days
IUCN status:
critically endangered
EEP:
yes
About the turquoise dwarf gecko
The turquoise dwarf gecko is a tiny, bright blue colored lizard found only in western Tanzania, on screw palms in an area of only 20 km². It weighs less than 2 grams and lives an average of 5 years. This insect eater is known for its unusual mating behavior: before mating, male and female perform a "dance" with nodding heads and wiggling tails. The female lays up to 20 small eggs a year, which she glues to leaves. Because of its striking color, the species is popular as a pet, but it is banned. Due to illegal trade and the disappearance of its habitat, this gecko is critically endangered.
Habitat and threats
The turquoise dwarf gecko is under serious threat. One reason is that this species is very popular to keep as pets. Many of these pets are caught in the wild. Another reason is that they only live in a very small area. This habitat is getting smaller and smaller due to logging, building new villages and digging mines.