‘Large’ creature with ‘long’ limbs found lurking in Thailand cave. It’s a new species
As night fell across southeastern Thailand, a “large” creature with “long” limbs emerged from its hiding place. Its “greenish gold” eyes scanned the surrounding cave, but it wasn’t the only one looking around.
Nearby scientists noticed the lurking animal — and discovered a new species.
Researchers visited several rocky hills of Sa Kaeo Province in 2024 as part of an ongoing project to survey the area’s reptiles, according to a study published Feb. 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Zootaxa.
During their searches, the team found several unfamiliar-looking lizards around a cave entrance, the study said. Intrigued, they took a closer look at the animals and quickly realized they’d discovered a new species: Gekko shiva, or the Shiva tokay gecko.
Shiva tokay geckos are considered “large,” reaching almost 10 inches in length, the study said. They have “robust” bodies with “long” limbs and “short” fingers and toes. Their “long” heads have pink tongues and “relatively large” eyes.
Photos show the coloring of the new species. Seen from above, its brown back is dotted with “very contrasting, white spots.” Seen from below, its stomach is mostly yellow with a brown edge and gray fingertips and toes.
Another photo shows the gecko’s “greenish golden” eye and wavy, vertical pupil.
Shiva tokay geckos are nocturnal, living in and around limestone caves, the study said. Much about their diet and lifestyle remains unknown.
Researchers said they named the new species after Shiva, the Hindu “god of destruction,” because it was first discovered in a cave dedicated to this deity. The cave, Tham Phra Siwa, has a temple in front of it and is “a tourist attraction.”
So far, Shiva tokay geckos have only been found at two nearby sites in Sa Kaeo and Chanthaburi provinces along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the study said.
Researchers said the new species “is strongly susceptible to exploitation by the local and international pet trade” due to being “large and colorful.” They urged it be “legally protected as quickly as possible.”
The new species was identified by its coloring, size, body proportions, eyes, scale pattern and other subtle physical features, the study said. Researchers did not provide a DNA analysis of the new species.
The research team included Olivier Pauwels, Worawitoo Meesook, Nattasuda Donbundit, Tanasak Jindamad, Nittaya Topai and Montri Sumontha. The team also helped discover a second new species of gecko from Sa Kaeo Province.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 10:36 AM with the headline "‘Large’ creature with ‘long’ limbs found lurking in Thailand cave. It’s a new species."
