Turniptail Gecko
Turniptail GeckoTurniptail GeckoTurniptail GeckoTurniptail Gecko

Turniptail Gecko

Thecadactylus rapicauda

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
10–20% · With luck
overall probability at Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
18 Verified records at Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
September Best month highest sighting rate
🌙 Nocturnal When it's active during nighttime hours (6pm–6am)

The turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda) is a species of gecko widely distributed from Mexico southward through Central America and into South America as far south as Brazil, and on many islands in the Lesser Antilles. It was long thought to be the only member of its genus, until T. solimoensis was described in 2007. It is a large gecko, reaching a length of 120 mm snout-to-vent. Its color varies from pale to dark gray to deep orange. Individuals can also change color. It can vocalize a series of chirps, which it mainly does while active at night. Wikipedia →

10–20% of wildlife watchers report a Turniptail Gecko sighting in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, based on 18 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

📅 Monthly Probability

<5
Jan
10–20
Feb
5–10
Mar
20–30
Apr
10–20
May
10–20
Jun
20–30
Jul
<5
Aug
20–30
Sep
10–20
Oct
10–20
Nov
<5
Dec

🌙 When They're Spotted

Most active during nighttime hours (6pm–6am) · across all parks (global)

🌙Nocturnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Main Ridge Forest Reserve 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
60–70%
2 Brownsberg Nature Park 🇸🇷 Suriname
50–60%
3 Tayrona National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
40–50%
4 Piedras Blancas National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
30–40%
5 Braulio Carrillo National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
20–30%
6 Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
20–30%
7 Chagres National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
10–20%
8 Marino Ballena National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
10–20%
9 Corcovado National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
10–20%
10 Darién National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
10–20%
11 Soberanía National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
10–20%
12 Calakmul Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
10–20%
13 Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
10–20%
14 Arenal Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
10–20%
15 Tortuguero National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
5–10%
16 Carara National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
5–10%
17 Manuel Antonio National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
5–10%
18 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
<5%
19 Utría National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
20 Pico Bonito National Park 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
21 San Lorenzo Protected Forest 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
22 Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary 🇧🇿 Belize
Insufficient data
23 Anavilhanas National Park 🇧🇷 Brazil
Insufficient data
24 Caroni Swamp 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago
Insufficient data
25 Parque Natural Metropolitano 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
26 Lago de Yojoa 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
27 Coiba National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
28 Sierra de la Macarena National Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
29 Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
30 Biotopo Cerro Cahuí 🇬🇹 Guatemala
Insufficient data
31 Rincón de la Vieja National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
32 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
33 Bastimentos Island National Marine Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
34 Tenorio Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
35 Farallones de Cali National Natural Park 🇨🇴 Colombia
Insufficient data
36 Cahuita National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
37 Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Turniptail Gecko in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve?

About 14% of wildlife watchers report a Turniptail Gecko sighting in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, based on 18 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Turniptail Gecko in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve?

September has the highest sighting rate for Turniptail Gecko in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in our monthly data.

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