Florida's Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail.
First year: 1983
Extirpated year:
Established status: Species are
present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only
with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.
Estimated Florida range: 2
counties At least 10 years, 2 counties Less than 10
years
Statewide trend: Unknown
status
Threats to natives: None
known.
Species Account: This arboreal
gecko from Asia is about 9 cm (2.5 in) total length. It is
apparently restricted to a strip mall in Pinellas County (Meshaka
and Lewis 1994), 2 warehouse complexes in Lee County (Bartlett and
Bartlett 1999), and a warehouse in Alachua County (Hauge and
Butterfield 2000). It primarily lives on the walls of buildings
that house reptile dealerships or pet stores. Although it
successfully breeds at these sites, it has not expanded its
population to adjacent buildings, so its distribution in Florida
will probably remain limited to its introduction sites (Meshaka and
Lewis 1994, Bartlett and Bartlett 1999, Hauge and Butterfield
2000). The body is flattened, and skin flanges are present on the
sides and hind legs. The tail is broad with serrate edges, and the
toes are partially webbed with large terminal pads. At night, this
gecko often appears a uniform, pasty cream color, but during the
daytime, it is darker colored with numerous darker bands. Male
geckos make clicking sounds, and distressed geckos make
high-pitched squeaking sounds (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).
Habitats: Central or core urban
area, Recently disturbed, early successional community
| County |
First Year |
Extirpated Year |
Breeding status |
Notes |
| ALACHUA |
1995 |
|
Less than 10 years |
Warehouse complex in northeastern Gainesville where a reptile
dealership used to be located (Hauge and Butterfield 2000) |
| LEE |
1980s |
|
At least 10 years |
Two warehouse complexes in Fort Myers (Bartlett and Bartlett
1999); one of these colonies may no longer exist (Meshaka et al.
2004) |
| PINELLAS |
1983 |
|
At least 10 years |
On the walls of a strip mall in downtown Clearwater containing
a pet shop (Meshaka and Lewis 1994) |
| DADE |
1996 |
|
Less than 10 years |
Homestead (Meshaka et al. 2004) |
References
Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A field
guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company,
Houston, Texas. 278pp.
Hauge, J. B., and B. P. Butterfield. 2000.
Cosymbotus platyurus (Asian house gecko). Herpetological Review
31:52.
Meshaka, W. E., Jr., and J. Lewis. 1994. Cosymbotus
platyurus in Florida: ten years of stasis. Herpetological Review
25:127.
Meshaka, W. E., Jr., B. P. Butterfield, and J. B.
Hauge. 2004. The exotic amphibians and reptiles of Florida.
Krieger, Melbourne, Florida. 166pp.
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