Cochran's Croaking Gecko
Encyclopedia
The Cochran's croaking gecko (Aristelliger cochranae), also known as Navassa gecko, was first described in 1931 by Chapman Grant
and named after notable herpetologist and artist Doris Mable Cochran
. The species received its common name from the loud croaking call of the males during the mating period.
, an island between Haiti
and Jamaica
. It is relatively common despite its small habitat of 5.2 km². It has a snout to vent length up to 63 mm in males and 53 mm in females. It has relatively short and massive legs. The colour of its body varies from beige brown to chestnut red and the back exhibits light spots. A dark chestnut crossband traverses from the snout to the head, the nape, and the eyes. The largest part of the tail is dark grey to black. The hatchlings have clear white crossbands on the tail.
It is nocturnal and arboreal, which means that it lives and preys entirely on the branches or under the bark of ficus trees or fan palms (Thrinax morrisii). Its diet consists of insects.
It is also a close relative to Aristelliger praesignis, the Jamaican "croaking lizard," which often finds its way into Jamaican households, much to the dismay of the inhabitants. Many Jamaicans fear this gecko because of its speed and ability to stick to walls, but especially because of the croaking sound it makes while they are trying to sleep.
Chapman Grant
Chapman Grant was an American herpetologist, historian, and publisher. He was the last living grandson of United States President Ulysses S. Grant...
and named after notable herpetologist and artist Doris Mable Cochran
Doris Mable Cochran
Doris Mable Cochran was an American herpetologist and custodian of the American Natural Collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. for many years...
. The species received its common name from the loud croaking call of the males during the mating period.
Description
The Cochran's croaking gecko is endemic to Navassa IslandNavassa Island
Navassa Island is a small, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea, claimed as an unorganized unincorporated territory of the United States, which administers it through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Haiti, which claims to have had sovereignty over Navassa since 1801, also claims the island...
, an island between Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
and Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. It is relatively common despite its small habitat of 5.2 km². It has a snout to vent length up to 63 mm in males and 53 mm in females. It has relatively short and massive legs. The colour of its body varies from beige brown to chestnut red and the back exhibits light spots. A dark chestnut crossband traverses from the snout to the head, the nape, and the eyes. The largest part of the tail is dark grey to black. The hatchlings have clear white crossbands on the tail.
It is nocturnal and arboreal, which means that it lives and preys entirely on the branches or under the bark of ficus trees or fan palms (Thrinax morrisii). Its diet consists of insects.
It is also a close relative to Aristelliger praesignis, the Jamaican "croaking lizard," which often finds its way into Jamaican households, much to the dismay of the inhabitants. Many Jamaicans fear this gecko because of its speed and ability to stick to walls, but especially because of the croaking sound it makes while they are trying to sleep.