# Caspian Bent-toed Gecko (*Tenuidactylus caspius*) The Caspian Bent-toed Gecko is a small lizard with a special ability to climb walls! It has a unique bent toe that helps it grip surfaces. These geckos are fun to watch as they scurry around looking for food. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert ![Caspian Bent-toed Gecko](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tenuidactylus_caspius.png&width=800) Photo: Reza Babaei Savasari, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tenuidactylus_caspius.png) ## Appearance The Caspian Bent-toed Gecko is a small, slender lizard with a flattened head and large, prominent eyes. Its skin is usually sandy brown or grayish, patterned with darker bands or spots, which helps it blend seamlessly with rocky or sandy environments. Unlike many geckos, its toes are slender and lack broad adhesive pads, instead having distinct bends. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Gekkonidae - **Genus:** Tenuidactylus ## Interesting facts - Female geckos usually lay just two tiny, soft-shelled eggs at a time! - No eyelids! These geckos lick their eyeballs clean with their tongue! - Tenuidactylus, their scientific name, means 'slender fingers' in Latin! - Wow! If their tail breaks off, a new, slightly different one grows back! ## Special abilities - **Tail Detachment:** Caspian Bent-toed Geckos can shed their tail to distract predators, giving the gecko a chance to escape harm. - **Color Blending:** Caspian Bent-toed Geckos can change their skin color with specialized cells, helping them disappear into rocky or sandy surroundings. - **Night Vision:** Caspian Bent-toed Geckos have large eyes and vertical pupils for excellent night vision, helping them hunt insects in dim light. - **Agile Grip:** Caspian Bent-toed Geckos can climb rough surfaces with slender, bent toes and fine claws, helping them navigate rocky terrain. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-5 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 40-70 days ## Diet & Feeding These geckos are expert hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates at night. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Beetles, Spiders, Ants, Moths - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Eagle-Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-eagle-owl) (*Bubo bubo*) — A nocturnal predator in its range. - **Eaten by:** Levantine Viper (*Macrovipera lebetina*) — A snake predator found in its habitat. - **Hunts:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Common insect prey in its habitat. - **Hunts:** Mealworm Beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — A representative beetle often consumed. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch geckos from a distance and do not try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Caspian Bent-toed Gecko? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Caspian Bent-toed Gecko? 6-10 cm ### How much does Caspian Bent-toed Gecko weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Caspian Bent-toed Gecko live? 3-5 years ### How fast can Caspian Bent-toed Gecko move? 8 km/h ### What does Caspian Bent-toed Gecko eat? These geckos are expert hunters, feasting on small insects and other invertebrates at night. ### Where is Caspian Bent-toed Gecko usually found? Desert ### How does Caspian Bent-toed Gecko hunt? Ambush ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Caspian Bent-toed Gecko: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/caspian-bent-toed-gecko)