Indian Day Gecko

The Indian day gecko, also known as the Nilgiri dwarf gecko, is a diurnal, insectivorous species of rock-dwelling gecko endemic to the high-altitude landscapes of the Western Ghats in South India. Occupying elevations around 1,800 metres above sea level, it is an integral component of the unique montane ecosystems of the Nilgiri and adjacent ranges.

Distribution and Habitat

This species is primarily associated with the Nilgiri Hills, including well-known locations such as Ooty and Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu. It is also recorded from Silent Valley National Park in neighbouring Kerala. These regions are characterised by montane forest, shola–grassland mosaics, and rocky outcrops, providing the essential microhabitats required by Cnemaspis indica.
Its rock-dwelling nature means it typically occupies crevices, boulders and sheltered rocky surfaces where temperature and humidity conditions support its diurnal activity.

Behaviour and Ecology

As a diurnal gecko, Cnemaspis indica differs from the majority of gecko species, which tend to be nocturnal. It is active during daylight hours, particularly in warm conditions, and feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods. The species plays an important ecological role in regulating insect populations within its restricted montane environment.
Reproductive behaviour includes notable instances of communal egg laying, as documented from Mukurthi National Park. This behaviour likely offers advantages such as shared use of optimal nest sites and enhanced protection from environmental fluctuations and predation. Eggs are typically deposited in rock crevices or sheltered cavities that maintain stable temperature and moisture conditions.

Taxonomic Notes

The species was first formally described in the nineteenth century, with early taxonomic contributions from J. E. Gray (1846) and later detailed treatments in works such as Boulenger’s 1885 catalogue of lizards. It belongs to the genus Cnemaspis, a diverse assemblage of small-bodied, often cryptic geckos distributed across South and Southeast Asia.