Latin name:Cyrtodactylus bidoupmountis
Vietnamese Name:Thằn lằn chân ngón bidoup
Family:Gekkonidae
Order:Squamata
Class (Group):

Identifying Characteristics:

  • Medium size.
  • Maximum recorded SVL (snout-vent length) approximately 86.3 mm.
  • Slender body, with relatively short limbs and digits.
  • Tail slender, slightly longer than the body.
  • Dorsum (back) pale yellow with 4-5 irregular, dark transverse bands that are paler-edged.
  • Limbs with irregular dark transverse bands.
  • A very distinct band on the neck.
  • Tail with 7-9 dark, transverse bands that become lighter towards the underside.
  • Two large pairs of postmental scales; the second pair approximately half the size of the first.
  • Rounded snout, bordered by the prenasal scale, rostral scale, first supralabial, and 2-3 small postnasal scales.
  • Dorsal tubercles (small bumps) large, flat, somewhat rounded, smooth to slightly keeled, arranged in 18-24 irregular longitudinal rows.
  • Weakly developed lateral folds, with large tubercles.
  • 38-43 ventral scales between the lateral folds.
  • 166-198 scales from the postmental scales to the vent.
  • 4-6 precloacal pores arranged in an inverted V-shaped band in males.
  • No precloacal groove.
  • 8-10 enlarged femoral scales, lacking pores.
  • Small spines posterior to the vent.
  • Subcaudal scales not enlarged.
  • 15-20 lamellae (skin folds) beneath the fourth toe of the forefoot.
  • 18-23 lamellae beneath the fourth toe of the hindfoot.

Biology and Ecology:

  • Nocturnal reptile species.
  • Found in riparian (streamside) habitats, primarily on large trees, and active only at night.
  • Currently the highest-altitude gecko species found in Vietnam.
  • Feeds on insects found in the area.
  • Lays 2 eggs in cavities or cracks in tree bark at the beginning of the rainy season each year.
  • The species name is derived from the location of its discovery.

Distribution:

  • Endemic to Vietnam, recently discovered in Lâm Đồng Province (Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park).
  • Found on the slopes of Mount Bi Dup, near streams within Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park, Lâm Đồng Province.