Cuban Ashy Sphaero
Sphaerodactylus elegans elegans
Natural History:
Also known as Ashy Gecko, the Ashy Sphaero is a species of small gecko with two subspecies the Cuban Ashy Sphaero (S. e. elegans) and the Haitian Ashy Sphaero (S. e. punctatissimus). While Present in Cuba and Haiti, the Ashy Sphaero has been introduced into areas of Florida where there are recorded populations of these invasive species.
Ashy Sphaeros are small compared to other geckos in Cuba and can be found in a variety of habitats such as forests and urban areas where they can be seen catching insects attracted to lights. Although they do hunt during the day, Cuban Ashy Geckos are normally diurnal.
These small geckos only lay one egg at a time usually in a communal nest behind bark or leaf litter. In this communal nest, other Ashy Geckos also lay their eggs. This reduces the risk of an individual egg becoming predated upon as there are many identical eggs for a predtor to chose from.
Like other geckos they have specialized hairs on the bottom of their feet known as setae. These hairs have a small surface area and attract to larger objects enabling the lizard to climb with great ease as its small hairs are attracted to surfaces such as glass, walls and of course foliage. Geckos are also able to "turn off the stickiness" by changing the position of the hairs stopping their immediate attraction.
Their name comes from the neutrality of its colours giving it an almost "ashy" appearance and their reddish tail is likely used to distract predators from its vulnerable body and head.
Anecdotal:
Usually with places on the beach one would expect to find lizards either on the ceiling at night or under the bed. I was initially disappointed by the lack of lizards but not disappointed with the cleanness of the rooms. One morning in the Bay of Pigs, Cuba, after a run in with an old Aztec curse I noticed some ants that were attracted to a rapper I had thrown out prior. And sure enough as I was putting my shoes on I was delighted to find a small gecko by my door attracted to the ants I presume. I turned to look towards my camera and sure enough it was on the other side of the room so I lunged for the lizard as it scurried under the door. Opening the door I saw it and cupped my hand over it so it was not harmed and unable to escape. I grabbed my camera and photographed the new lifer on my bed sheets before releasing him. That day in Cuba I was unfortunately unable to leave my room for very long due to health reasons and was fortunate to find myself a lifer inside my own room.
Also known as Ashy Gecko, the Ashy Sphaero is a species of small gecko with two subspecies the Cuban Ashy Sphaero (S. e. elegans) and the Haitian Ashy Sphaero (S. e. punctatissimus). While Present in Cuba and Haiti, the Ashy Sphaero has been introduced into areas of Florida where there are recorded populations of these invasive species.
Ashy Sphaeros are small compared to other geckos in Cuba and can be found in a variety of habitats such as forests and urban areas where they can be seen catching insects attracted to lights. Although they do hunt during the day, Cuban Ashy Geckos are normally diurnal.
These small geckos only lay one egg at a time usually in a communal nest behind bark or leaf litter. In this communal nest, other Ashy Geckos also lay their eggs. This reduces the risk of an individual egg becoming predated upon as there are many identical eggs for a predtor to chose from.
Like other geckos they have specialized hairs on the bottom of their feet known as setae. These hairs have a small surface area and attract to larger objects enabling the lizard to climb with great ease as its small hairs are attracted to surfaces such as glass, walls and of course foliage. Geckos are also able to "turn off the stickiness" by changing the position of the hairs stopping their immediate attraction.
Their name comes from the neutrality of its colours giving it an almost "ashy" appearance and their reddish tail is likely used to distract predators from its vulnerable body and head.
Anecdotal:
Usually with places on the beach one would expect to find lizards either on the ceiling at night or under the bed. I was initially disappointed by the lack of lizards but not disappointed with the cleanness of the rooms. One morning in the Bay of Pigs, Cuba, after a run in with an old Aztec curse I noticed some ants that were attracted to a rapper I had thrown out prior. And sure enough as I was putting my shoes on I was delighted to find a small gecko by my door attracted to the ants I presume. I turned to look towards my camera and sure enough it was on the other side of the room so I lunged for the lizard as it scurried under the door. Opening the door I saw it and cupped my hand over it so it was not harmed and unable to escape. I grabbed my camera and photographed the new lifer on my bed sheets before releasing him. That day in Cuba I was unfortunately unable to leave my room for very long due to health reasons and was fortunate to find myself a lifer inside my own room.