Cochran's croaking gecko

Cochran's croaking gecko (Aristelliger cochranae), also commonly known as Cochran's Caribbean gecko^[3] and the Navassa gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Sphaerodactylidae. The species was described in 1931 by Chapman Grant and named after notable American herpetologist and artist Doris Mable Cochran.^[3] The species received one of its common names from the loud croaking call of the male during the mating period.

Cochran's croaking gecko
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Sphaerodactylidae
Genus:	Aristelliger
Species:	A. cochranae
Binomial name
Aristelliger cochranae Grant, 1931[2]

Description

A. cochranae has a snout to vent length (SVL) up to 63 mm (2.5 in) in males and 53 mm (2.1 in) in females.^[4] It has relatively short and massive legs.^{[citation needed]} The colour of its body varies from beige brown to chestnut red and the back exhibits light spots. A dark chestnut crossband extends from the snout to the head, the nape, and the eyes. The largest part of the tail is dark grey to black.^{[citation needed]} The hatchlings have clear white crossbands on the tail.^{[citation needed]}

Occurrence and biology

Cochran's croaking gecko is endemic to Navassa Island,^[1][4] an island between Haiti and Jamaica. It is relatively common despite its small habitat of 5.2 km² (2 sq mi).^{[citation needed]} It is nocturnal and arboreal, which means that it lives and preys entirely on the branches or under the bark of ficus trees or fan palms (Thrinax morrisii ).^{[citation needed]} Its diet consists of insects.^{[citation needed]}