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Broad-tailed Gecko


Broad-tailed Gecko
Photo Information
Copyright: Chris Chafer (sandpiper2) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1906 W: 107 N: 4875] (16757)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-10-14
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Fujifilm Finepix S5000, Fujinon 10X zoom
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/60 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Lizards - Lagartos - Lézards, Geckos, Australian Reptiles and Frogs, Reptiles - Geckos 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2004-10-15 17:18
Viewed: 14006
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Broad-tailed Gecko (Phyllurus platurus). One of eleven leaf-tailed gecko species from two genera found in Australia. All seven species of Phyllurus are restricted to small isolated ranges of 10 - 200km along the east Australian coastline between Sydney and Townsville, usually associated with rainforests, moist sandstone forests and / or boulders. They are all nocturnal, resting in caves, deep crevices or tree hollows during the day. At night they emerge and rest motionless waiting to ambush prey. Their camouflaged bodies makes finding them extremely difficult in their natural habit.
The Broad-tailed Gecko is found within 160km of Sydney, especially around sandstone escarpments and outcrops. It is generally solitary and uncommon, though it does get found occasionally in gardens that border extensive bushland in the Blue Mountains and Illawarra regions. Their total length is 150mm, making them one of the larger members of the 111 gecko species found in mainland Australia; they are absent from Tasmania. Of interest, is that several Australian gecko species are parthenogenetic; which means they can exist as all-female populations that produce female clones without mating!
A work colleague found this specimen in the office garage, hiding behind a disused display board. I was able to a get few shots before it decided to find a safer hiding place. Although it would have been nicer to shoot the gecko on a “natural” surface, I decided not to try and capture it as they readily discard their tails as a defence mechanism.
Shot was cropped and sharpened with unsharp mask. (80,1,1)
Robbrown, extramundi, Callie, CaptiveLight, RAP, gerhardt, mrower has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Pesky_Polecat: autofocussandpiper2 1 10-20 08:54
To extramundi: re levelssandpiper2 1 10-20 08:51
To RAP: Thankssandpiper2 1 10-20 08:49
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice one, good use of the available chances it is well seen but only just as it blends with the surface really well.

It seems as this one is suffering with great effort to look like the background :D
Maybe some levels would help to see better. Good post with a nice note.

Agreed that the background is a little distracting, but a big smile for the gecko, must be a nightmare to focus on!

Hi Chris
Thanks for sharing. I love these critters, especiall the weird eyes.

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-10-16 6:03]
  • [2] [+]

Claro ejemplo de mimetismo con el entorno de este gecko tan bello.
Buena nitidez, naturales colores y adecuado encuadre.
Tal vez podrías presentar una versión LP de la misma si el original lo permite.

Clear example of mimicry with the surroundings of this gecko so beautiful.
Good clearness, natural colors and adapted frame.
Perhaps you could present a version LP of the same one if the original one allows it.

STrange critter you caught. I love 'em gecko's. Nice note too. Outstanding eye detail. TFS.

Lovely shot Chris it shows the tail really well. Did it hiss at you - the noise they can make is truly amazing.

Thank you for this photo Chris, I have just come up from my laundry where I found one of these beautiful creatures on a chair down there. It is about 20 cm long, and stood perfectly still waiting for me to leave the room. I have seen smaller ones in the garden, but never one in the house. We also have bluetongues and other reptiles including snakes. I live on the north shore of Sydney, on a steep bushy sandstone ridge about 200 m from the National Park near the Roseville bridge, if you know the area it is East Lindfield. We also have the occasional echidna and plenty of other critters. I don't want to take a photo, because I don't want to frighten it, as I know they can die of fright.

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