Desert creature covered in ‘large’ spikes found hiding under rock. It’s a new species

As daytime temperatures in the Horn of Africa climbed, a desert creature covered in “large” spikes sought refuge under a rock. But its hiding spot wouldn’t go unnoticed.

Visiting scientists found the spotted animal — and discovered a new species.

Researchers ventured into the dry coastal plains of Somaliland several times between 2021 and 2023 to survey wildlife, according to a study published Aug. 22 in the peer-reviewed journal African Zoology. The region is a hotspot for biodiversity and a self-proclaimed republic that declared independence from Somalia.

During the surveys, researchers noticed some spiky lizards that seemed “abundant” in the region, the study said. They captured a few of the animals and, taking a closer look, soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Hemidactylus gubanensis, or the Guban gecko.

Guban geckos are considered “small,” reaching just under 4 inches in length, the study said. They have “large” and “pointed” heads with “prominent,” “sandy yellow” eyes. Their bodies are covered in “large” spikes.

A photo shows the spotted coloring of the new species. Overall, its body is light brown dotted with white, yellow and dark brown spikes.

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Guban geckos live in “sparsely vegetated” areas of the Guban “sandy coastal plain,” researchers said. This is “one of the hottest places” of the Horn of Africa. Temperatures average between 77 and 97 degrees Fahrenheit but can hit 120 degrees in the summer.

The new species was found hiding under rocks or in “an old rusty canister” during the day and active at night, the study said.

Researchers said they named the new species after the Guban region where it was discovered. The name “Guban” also means “burnt” in Somali, “referring to the torrid weather conditions that prevail in the region throughout most of the year.”

So far, the new species has been found at nine locations in Somaliland but is likely more widespread, the study said. Somaliland is a region of northwestern Somalia bordering Djibouti, Ethiopia and the Indian Ocean.

The Horn of Africa is a peninsula on the east coast of Africa and generally includes Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia.

The research team included Tomáš Mazuch, Vojtěch Janák, Doubravka Velenská, Annamaria Nistri, Hassan Sh Abdirahman Elmi and Jiří Šmíd.

The team also discovered a second new species of lizard: Hemidactylus huluul, or the Huluul gecko.

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