Andaman Giant Gecko

The Andaman giant gecko, Gekko verreauxi, is a large gecko species belonging to the family Gekkonidae. Endemic to the Andaman Islands of India, it is one of the most distinctive reptiles of the region, notable for its considerable size, arboreal habits, and nocturnal behaviour. As a species confined to an oceanic archipelago, it forms an important component of the Andaman Islands’ unique insular biodiversity.

Etymology

The specific epithet verreauxi honours the French naturalist Jules Verreaux. The name was assigned by Robert Christopher Tytler, who provided the first formal description of the species in the mid-nineteenth century.

Geographic Range

Gekko verreauxi is endemic to the Andaman Islands, occurring nowhere else in the world. Its distribution spans forested habitats, agricultural areas, and tree-rich landscapes throughout the archipelago.

Description

The Andaman giant gecko is among the world’s largest gecko species, reaching a total length of over 30 cm, including the tail. It possesses the robust build and expanded toe pads characteristic of the genus Gekko. Its colouration and patterning provide effective camouflage against tree bark, contributing to its shy and elusive nature.

Habitat

This species is primarily arboreal, typically inhabiting:

• tree trunks,
• cavities and hollows,
• bark plates of native trees, especially Manilkara litoralis,
• fallen logs,
• crop fields and agricultural margins.

Such ecological flexibility enables the gecko to thrive in both natural and semi-disturbed environments.

Behaviour

A nocturnal reptile, G. verreauxi remains hidden during the day in tree cavities or beneath bark layers. After sunset, it emerges to forage, preying mainly on insects. Its cryptic appearance and tendency to avoid disturbance make it difficult to observe in the wild.

Reproduction

The species is oviparous, laying shelled eggs typical of many geckonid lizards. As with other members of the genus, the clutch size is generally small, often comprising two eggs deposited in protected microhabitats such as tree hollows.

Significance and Study

First described by Tytler in 1864, the species has since attracted scientific interest due to its insular distribution and distinctive morphology. Later evaluations, including taxonomic reassessments, have refined understanding of its status within the genus Gekko. Its endemicity highlights the conservation value of the Andaman Islands and the need to protect the region’s native forest habitats.
The Andaman giant gecko remains an emblematic representative of the reptilian fauna of the Andamans, offering insight into island biogeography, evolutionary processes, and the ecological relationships of large arboreal geckos.