A Newly Discovered Species.

Crested geckos, Rhacodactylus ciliatus, was only rediscovered in 1994.  Crested geckos were described by a french naturalist, Guichenot, in 1866 but did not follow up on the species for years.  The other species of Rhacodactylus were in the pet trade once herpetoculture picked up (Black).  Crested geckos were looked for over the years in the areas that Guichenot discovered them in 1866.  But none of the geckos were found. 

In 1994, the species was found on the Isle de Pines, then in the expedition led by Wilhelm Henkel and Robert Seipp, they discovered more crested geckos.   In another expedition with Philippe De Vosjoli and Frank Fast, they found more of these new species and brought them back legally to United States, where then smugglers started exported the species illegally (Black).  The geckos that were exported illegally are the origins of all the crested geckos found now in captivity.  Hobbyist and breeders now produce over 10,000 offspring every year!  Thats a lot of geckos!  In my opinion I think that if it wasnt for people exporting these geckos the geckos would not be as protected, and not as much would be known about crested geckos.  Due to the popularity of the species they have research done with them, and herpetologist specialize in just crested geckos and other Rhacodactylus species (Black). What do you guys think, do you think much would be known about these geckos if it wasnt for the illegal exportation of them. 

Photo By Author.

Black, Adam. Crested Gecko. Neptune City: T.F.H. Publications, 2005. Print