Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
Lygodactylus williamsi
Here at Banham Zoo
Meet Buzz, the turquoise dwarf gecko at Banham Zoo! Buzz can often be found perched at the top of his habitat, resting on branches and soaking up the warmth from his heat lamp. This species exhibits sexual dichromatism, meaning males and females have different colours.
Buzz, being a male, is bright blue, while the females are a green-bronze colour. As a conservation charity at ZSEA, we are working hard to protect this species, which faces declining numbers due to the illegal pet trade and deforestation.
Where Do I Live?
Tanzania
This species has a tiny natural range of less than 8km2, in two forest reserves near the Uluguru mountains of Tanzania. They live only on screwpine trees in tropical forests.
What Do I Eat?
In the wild these geckos feed on a variety of small insects, such as fruit flies and ants.
How Do I Breed?
During breeding season, females may produce a pair of eggs every two to three weeks! These small eggs are glued to vegetation in a secluded location and hatch between 60 and 90 days later.
Together, we protect wildlife
Conservation status
Critically Endangered (CR)
Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Deforestation for logging and mining is a major threat to this species, alongside collection for the international pet trade. They are now listed on CITES, a charter which limits or forbids the trade in certain species, to protect their numbers.
Some Helpful Links
Where is the
Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
located?
Our
Turquoise Dwarf Gecko
is located in our
Zoo Central
, map reference
16
.
What’s the best time to see the animals?
The best time to see our animals is often during feeding times or in the cooler parts of the day when they are most active. Check our daily timetable for keeper talks and feeding sessions for an up-close look! Our habitat signage also includes helpful hints and tips to make the most of your visit.
How do you ensure the animals' welfare?
Animal welfare is our top priority. We provide species-specific habitats, enrichment activities, and expert veterinary care to ensure all our animals thrive.
