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What is Cyrtodactylus varadgiri?

May 11, 2026

A relatively uncommon gecko species, Cyrtodactylus varadgirii, named after noted scientist Varad Giri, was recently spotted in Aarey forest by wildlife enthusiasts and a researcher.

About Cyrtodactylus varadgiri:

  • Cyrtodactylus varadgirii (Giri's Geckoella) is a species of gecko in the gekkonidae family.
  • It is nocturnal, insectivorous, and terrestrial, living in dense leaf litter on the forest floor.
  • It is endemic to India and found in parts of western and Central India, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
  • The gecko was first discovered in 2016.
  • It is one of the widely distributed but poorly known ground-dwelling geckos from India.
  • It is also unusual among its close relatives in being associated not only with natural habitats but also with open and human-modified landscapes, including urban green spaces.
  • Except for the record of the occurrence of this species from various locations, mostly during the monsoon, information on other aspects of its natural history is highly understudied.

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