Antilles leaf-toed gecko

The Antilles leaf-toed gecko (Hemidactylus palaichthus), also known as the Maria Islands leaf-toed gecko or spiny gecko, is a gecko species found in northern South America and the Lesser Antilles.^[1][2] It can be found on small rocks and islets offshore of Saint Lucia, Trinidad, and Tobago, though it is absent from the main islands.

Antilles leaf-toed gecko
Hemidactylus palaichthus from Bolivar, Venezuela.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Gekkota
Family:	Gekkonidae
Genus:	Hemidactylus
Species:	H. palaichthus
Binomial name
Hemidactylus palaichthus Kluge, 1969
Synonyms[2]
Hemidactylus brooki palaichthus — Mertens, 1972

Habitat and conservation

Hemidactylus palaichthus occurs in tropical savannas, dry forests, and rainforests. It can occur in disturbed habitats (scrubby second growth, or on isolated vegetation (palms, logs) in pastures) and villages (on walls and posts). It is common in parts of its range is not facing any major threat.^[1]