Experimental analysis of retreat-site selection by thick-tailed geckos Nephrurus milii

Abstract

Although animals use habitats non-randomly in the wild, complex correlations among environmental features mean that proximate influences on habitat selection can be identified only by experimental manipulation of potential cues. Thick-tailed geckos Nephrurus milii are large lizards that are widely distributed through southern Australia.These nocturnally active animals typically spend daylight hours under surface rocks. We presented captive geckos with alternative retreat-sites (rock crevices) differing in attributes potentially relevant to habitat selection.The lizards showed strong preference for shelter-sites that enhanced thermoregulation (warm rather than cool) and that reduced the anima..