Lepidodactylus lugubris measure 8.5–10 cm in length including tail (4–4.4 cm snout-to-vent).[1][2]L. lugubrisiscryptically coloured, typically light to dark tan with dark spots down the length of its back and a brown strip from the ear to the tip of the nose.[1] This species is capable of changing color, and so the same individual may appear light or dark at different times during the day.
L. lugubris is primarily nocturnal, but is occasionally encountered exposed but near cover during the day.[3][4][1]
This species is nearly all female, and reproduces via parthenogenesis. While males occasionally occur, they are very rare and often sterile.[2] Females lay 1–2 eggs at a time, and glue them to surfaces in protected locations. Clutches are laid every 4–6 weeks.[2]
L. lugubris are omnivorous. In the wild, they eat a varied diet of insects, spiders, amphipods, pill bugs, fruit, nectar, pollen, and even their own eggs.[1][6] They will also feed on jam, sugar, sweetened drinks, and milk, if given the opportunity.[6]
L. lugubris are occasionally kept as pets due to their simple care requirements and social nature.[1] Because they are parthenogenic, these geckos reproduce well in captivity and thus most individuals kept as pets are captive-bred.
^Dedukh D, Altmanová M, Klíma J, Kratochvíl L (April 2022). "Premeiotic endoreplication is essential for obligate parthenogenesis in geckos". Development. 149 (7). doi:10.1242/dev.200345. PMID35388415.
Cuéllar, Orlando; Kluge, Arnold G (1972). "Natural parthenogenesis in the gekkonid lizard Lepidodactylus lugubris". Journal of Genetics. 61 (1): 14–26. doi:10.1007/BF02984098. S2CID41290668.
Hanley, Kathryn A; Bolger, Douglas T; Case, Ted (1994). "Comparative ecology of sexual and asexual gecko species (Lepidodactylus) in French Polynesia". Evolutionary Ecology. 8 (4): 435–454. Bibcode:1994EvEco...8..438H. doi:10.1007/BF01238194. S2CID21626724.
Henderson, R. W., VILLA, J., & DIXON, J. R. 1976 Lepidodactylus lugubris (Reptilia: Gekkonidae). A recent addition to the herpetofauna of Nicaragua. Herpetol. Rev. 7:173.
Jarecki, L. & Lazell, J.D. 1987 Zur Grösse und Dichte einer Population von Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron 1836) in Aiea, Hawaii (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Salamandra 23 (2/3): 176-178
Rösler, Herbert 1992 Beobachtungen an drei Männchen des parthenogenetischen Geckos Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron 1836). Sauria 14 (3): 25-26
Yamashiro, Saiko; Ota, Hidetoshi 1998 Discovery of a male phenotype of the Parthenogenetic gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris, on Ishigakijima Island of the Yaeyama Group, Ryūkyū Archipelago Japanese Journal of Herpetology 17 (4): 152-155
Guerreiro, Manuel.; Graterol, Gabriel.; 2012 PRIMER REGISTRO DE LEPIDODACTYLUS LUGUBRIS DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1836 (REPTILIA: GEKKONIDAE) PARA VENEZUELA herpetotropicos; 6(12):15-16.
