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The Bynoe's Gecko (Heteronotia binoei) is a slender, long tailed gecko which is endemic to Australia. It is wide spread across the continent and is found in open woodlands, grasslands and disturbed habitats. Bynoes Geckos are popular pets and can be found in zoos. They are also known as the Prickly Gecko. There is reported to be a high degree of variation within Heteronotia species, and it is possible that Bynoe’s gecko may encompass more than one species.

Description
The Bynoe's gecko is a slender, long tailed species which grow 11 - 12 centimetres in length. They are covered with small scales which appear to be rough, but are soft to touch. They have slim toes which end with strong claws but unlike many other gecko species, they do not have expandable toe pads. They have a large head and eyes, with eyes lacking eyelids but being covered with transparent scales. To keep eyes clean, it wipes dirt and dust from the lenses with its tongue. They are covered with small spine like ridges which run down the length of their back, giving them their alternative name "Prickly Gecko". Colours include yellow, cream, beige, black and white with most carrying at least 2 of these colours. Stripes, speckles, spots or blotches may cover the gecko. Like many species of gecko, a wide array of calls can be made with its well developed vocal chords.

Distribution
The Bynoe's Gecko is found in all mainland Australia's states, except the ACT. They are endemic to Australia and are not found in humid parts of the southeast and southwest. It also inhabits many islands off the west coast and has large populations on Barrow Island.

Habitat
The Bynoe's gecko occurs in many habitats throughout Australia. They are most commonly found in woodlands, grasslands and disturbed habitats, all being open and dry. They can also be found in tropical rainforests, central deserts and coastal sand dunes. As they are a terrestrial species, they take shelter under all types of groundcover including leaves, logs, stumps, stones, termite mounds, loose bark at the base of trees and animal burrows. They have been found to shelter under man made habitat.

Reproduction
In Australia, the Bynoe's Gecko has been found to be in ideal breading conditions between July and September. Sexual maturity is reached in 1 to 3 years and females lay 2 eggs over the months of September to January. Eggs are soft shelled when laid, but become hardened and brittle when exposed to the air. These eggs are usually deposited under rocks, inside animal burrows or inside logs. They only produce 1 clutch per year. Females on Barrow Island reproduce by parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where the growth and development of the embryo occurs without fertilisation by a male.

Diet
The Bynoe's gecko is nocturnal and mainly active at night. They leave their shelter and hunt various invertebrates including moths and grasshoppers throughout the night. They hunt among leaf litter or in bare open spaces and will occasionally climb trees or within rocks to source food.

Predators and threats
Like many other Geckos, the Bynoe's Gecko has many predators and threats. They are able to flee rapidly and quickly when disturbed but are likely to be venerable to attack by a range of other predators including larger lizards.