Paddletail (SciiFii)

The paddletail (Amerigekko aerocorpora), also known as the American flying gecko, is a species of lizard in the family Eublepharidae that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relatives of the paddletail are the geckos of the genus Coleonyx. The paddletail is a rather large gecko species, growing up to about 15-20 centimeters (8-9 inches). The paddletail is a carnivore that specializes in hunting insects, but can occasionally feed on hatchlings of other paddletails and even, though rarely, baby birds. The paddletail is nocturnal and uses its large eyes and sense of smell to find its way around in the dark. The skin of the paddletail is generally orangish-brown in color, although its hue can turn to greyish, reddish, or whitish tone, depending on the color of the structure that the animal is on. The hue changes within hours if the paddletail moves. The paddletail's tail has a flatten end while helps the paddletail to steer while gliding, hence its name. Unlike many of its relatives, the paddletail does not drop its tail when threatened, due to the importance of its tail for gliding. The fifth toe on all four feet are developed into long rods supporting a membrane of skin that is extended when the lizard is gliding from tree to tree or building to building. Although the surface is not efficient, it is sufficient for the gecko to glide for a short distance between trees and buildings. Like many other gecko species, the paddletail has sticky padded toes to help it climb on slippery surfaces, even on smooth steel and glass. The paddletail is solitary and generally aggressive towards members of its own species, except during the breeding season. The paddletail is able to vocalize, and both males and females call out during the dusk to establish their territories. Using the characteristic "gecko" calls. During the breeding season, the males will try to position themselves in an area that produces a strong echo, in order to draw in females from far away. Vocalization does not continue until the night hours, to avoid conflicts with humans and other sapient species. Breeding occurs in either March or May depending on latitude. Uniquely among geckos, the paddletail females carry their eggs in their bodies for about three months before giving birth to 2-5 well-developed offspring, which are completely independent from their mothers upon birth. The average lifespan of the paddletail is around 6-10 years, although individuals of this species have been reported to live to be about 11 years or slightly more. The conservation status of the paddletail is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the paddletail's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.