Gehyra dubia (Macleay, 1877)

Common Name and Classification

Gehyra dubia, commonly called the dubious dtella, is a small species of gecko.

Size and Sexual Dimorphism

Its maximum snout-to-vent length reaches 6 cm, and its maximum tail length reaches 14 cm, with no significant difference in body size between males and females.

Resting Coloration

When at rest, this gecko is typically a dull gray-brown, with dark spots covering its entire dorsal side.

Color Change Ability

It has mild camouflage ability, and often changes its color to a lighter brown.

Foraging Coloration

When foraging, the spots on its back disappear.

Limb and Digit Count

These geckos have four limbs, each with five digits.

Adhesive Pad Trait

Every digit has a circular pad that helps grip surfaces, a trait that allows them to live successfully in human homes, as they can grip onto ceilings and glass windows.

Inner Digit Claw Trait

Uniquely, G. dubia lacks a claw on its inner digits.

Skin Texture Distinguishing Feature

The skin of this gecko, including the skin on its tail, is smooth; this is one feature that distinguishes Gehyra dubia from other Australian gecko species.

Eye Morphology

Like most other gecko species, G. dubia lacks eyelids and has vertically oriented pupils in its eyes.

Eye Cleaning Behavior

Because they cannot blink, they lick their eyes clean with their tongues.

Nocturnal Visual Sensitivity

As a nocturnal species, it has large eyes that are around 350 times more sensitive to light than human eyes in dark conditions.

Anti-Predator Tail Autotomy

When under stress, such as when chased by a predator, the dubious dtella can shed its tail to feign injury and escape.

19th Century Historical Range Records

In the 1800s, G. dubia was recorded as abundant in southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and northern Australia.

Current Confirmed Core Range

Currently, G. dubia is confirmed to be widespread only across Eastern Australia.

Unconfirmed Range Reports

Because it is often confused with other gecko species, many sources report it is also present in the island archipelagos north of Australia and in New Guinea, but researchers currently restrict the species' confirmed true range to Australia only.

Natural Habitat Types

The dubious dtella is highly adaptable and can live in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, dry forests, and shrublands.

Habitat Preference and Avoidance

It is mainly an arboreal species and generally prefers dry habitats, so it is not commonly found in rainforest areas.

Anthropogenic Habitat Use

Its broad ecological niche means it is very common in homes in Queensland, Australia, as houses provide shelter from predators and increased access to prey.

In-Home Activity Location

For this reason, they are frequently found at night on walls, floors, or windowpanes.

Bush Foraging Behavior

They also forage for scattered prey at night in the Australian bush.

Reproductive Mode

G. dubia is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs.

Typical Clutch Size

A typical clutch laid by a female contains two eggs.

Egg Size Correlation

Egg size increases as the size of the mother gecko increases.

Common Egg Laying Sites

Since this species is common in human homes, their eggs are often laid in clutches of two inside the crevices where the geckos reside.

Breeding Season Timing

G. dubia lays eggs and breeds during the wet season.

Mating Vocalization Behavior

During the breeding season, individuals produce mating chirps, especially to attract a mate.

Chirp Signal Function

These chirping calls function as mating signals; males use them to call for females.