GEKKO 97 



followed by a large scale. These variations are about equally 

 divided among the specimens examined; a few specimens have 

 a second prenasal separating the labial from the large prenasal. 



In medium-sized specimens there are usually light blue bands, 

 formed by a series of spots, across the body, sometimes con- 

 tinuing on the tail. These are not very distinct, as the blue 

 is not much differentiated from the ground color; young speci- 

 mens usually are dark, with dirty white spots, and the tail is 

 banded with black and white. 



Remarks. — This large gecko is one of the best-known mem- 

 bers of the Philippine saurian fauna. It is found everywhere 

 in houses, and its loud call usually makes its presence known. 

 The call is very characteristic and sounds something between the 

 syllables tchuck 6 and chuck kit, harshly and slowly pronounced 

 several times. This is preceded by several short ''chucks" re- 

 peated rather rapidly, and usually in a much lower tone. The 

 call on still nights may be heard for a distance of several hun- 

 dred meters. 



The females lay two eggs, which usually are glued to some per- 

 pendicular object. They are flat on the bottom, rounded above, 

 and fastened to each other. It is almost impossible to remove 

 them without breaking them. As a rule several females lay 

 eggs in the same place, and it is usual to find together eight or 

 ten sets of eggs in various stages of incubation, sometimes even 

 superimposed. The same locations, if undisturbed, are used 

 year after year. 



This species is regarded as poisonous by a number of Philip- 

 pine peoples, and by others not. The animal is capable of in- 

 flicting rather a painful bite, for once it takes hold of an object 

 it will retain its grip with bulldog tenacity, and its powerful 

 jaws must be pried open or much effort made before the object 

 can be released. This gecko is more timid than are the smaller 

 house geckos. Several specimens that were kept in captivity 

 would turn and fight when slapped and lunge toward an out- 

 stretched hand, but they made no effort to escape. 



It is found in all the larger Philippine islands and probably in 

 most of the smaller ones. I have collected specimens in Negros, 

 Mindanao, Jolo, Luzon, Mindoro, Cebu, Palawan, Lubang, and 

 Panay. Its presence is known in many other islands. It is 

 known also from India, China, French Indo-China, Sumatra, 

 Java, Borneo, and Celebes. 



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