Common namib day gecko
Introduction: Common Namib day geckos (Rhoptropus afer) are small geckos that prefer a habitat of sheet rock associated with dry gravel plains of a rocky desert. They are very active creatures that shoot quickly between slabs of rock, perfect resting places that compliment their natural camouflage. They are able to live in the hottest areas of the desert, sheltering in rock cracks from the hot midday sun and cooling off in the wind by climbing to a suitable point to raise the body and cool off. The yellow underparts are displayed in acts of social behaviour by curling the tail upwards.
Distribution: Restricted to the coastal regions of the Namib Desert, northwards from the Kuiseb River.
Diet: Ants and small beetles.
Colouring: The back is light olive to grey-brown decorated with red-brown and pale spots. The belly and chest are a bluish-white colour.
Breeding: Females lay 2 white, hard-shelled oval eggs under rock pieces.
Size: SVL 35 to 50mm. Max SVL 55mm.
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