Chordates • Earth.com

Schlegel's Japanese gecko

(Gekko hokouensis)

Description

Schlegel's Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus), also known as yamori in Japanese, is a species of gecko. It is found in eastern China, Japan, and South Korea. Gekko japonicus occurs across the main islands of Japan, ranging from northern Honshu in the north and east to Kyushu in the south and west. Like other species of gecko, individuals of G. japonicus primarily eat insects. The species is capable of autotomy, and will separate its tail from its body to escape predators. While this process avoids bleeding, as blood vessels at the base of the tail close to prevent blood loss, the gecko does lose a supply of fat tissue, which it can use during periods where food is scarce. In Japanese culture, seeing a gecko on one's home is associated with good luck. The animal's name, yamori, translates to home-protector. Gekko is a genus of Southeast Asian geckos, commonly known as true geckos or calling geckos, in the family Gekkonidae. Although species such as Gekko gecko (tokay gecko) are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:
Class: Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Gekkonidae
Genus:Gekko
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