Odisha’s forest officials have announced measures to preserve the newly discovered tiny gecko species named Ganjam Slender Gecko.

About Ganjam Slender Gecko

1. Ganjam Slender Gecko is a tiny gecko species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus.
2. The species was first spotted within the premises of a temple at Humma in Ganjam district in 2014.
3. Features: They grow 6 cm in length. They feed on ants, termites, small roaches, spiders, and beetles.
4. Habitat: The only habitat of the species is Jhadeshawar sacred grove. Moreover, they are only found in mango trees surrounding the temple. They were never found on concrete walls or below rock boulders, unlike other members of the genus.
5. Significance: This new species is the 7th Indian species of the genus, the second from the northern Eastern Ghats and 41st globally. It is also the first non-island species of the genus which is distributed in lowland habitats.

Source: EPIC July, 2021.