About Gehyra lazelli (Wells & Wellington, 1985)
Gehyra lazelli (Wells & Wellington, 1985) varies in color from dull brown to grey brown, with a speckled, variegated pattern of white spots that somewhat resembles patches of lichen growing on exposed rock. This variegated patterning works as camouflage from predators such as birds, letting the species blend into exposed rock surfaces and leaf litter. It has a relatively flat body, a slender tail, and uniform homogeneous scales across its body. A key identifying feature of G. lazelli is that its third and fourth toes are free of webbing, while all other fingers and toes are webbed and have surface pads to improve grip. This species is endemic to Australia. Its known range extends from central and western New South Wales to the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia. Sightings near the northwestern Victorian border have led to speculation that the species’ range also extends into the semi-arid fringe areas of Victoria. G. lazelli is most commonly found sunning on exposed rock, or hiding in crevices within rocky outcrops and stony hills. It may also be found under thick bark or fallen logs, and forages for food at night in these rocky areas. The species depends on these rocky outcrops for energy, food, and protection from predators including birds. Most lizards are generalist feeders that consume animal protein and are not picky eaters, and G. lazelli follows this pattern. It feeds on small arthropods, eating any that are small enough to fit inside its mouth. G. lazelli belongs to the genus Gehyra, which contains 44 distinct Australian species found across most of arid, semi-arid, and tropical northern Australia. The most common and widespread species in this genus is Gehyra variegata, the tree dtella, which occurs across most of Australia. Extensive land clearing of Australia’s interior woodlands has caused increasing fragmentation of G. lazelli’s native habitat. G. lazelli reproduces oviparously, meaning it lays eggs that hatch into live young. Like most geckos, it has a clutch size of two eggs, and has been observed laying eggs in communal nests shared with the same or similar gecko species. In cooler Australian regions, some lizard species use viviparity to give birth to live young, since cooler temperatures reduce the reproductive success of oviparous egg-laying.
