A rare nocturnal reptile, believed to be a Painted Leopard Gecko, was recently sighted at Dilmili railway station in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district. The animal was rescued by forest officials and released into a suitable natural habitat. The sighting has drawn attention to the rich biodiversity of the Bastar forest landscape and the need for further scientific study of lesser-known species.
Rare Reptile Sighting
The reptile was noticed on the station premises and identified as a gecko resembling species usually found in the Bastar region. Initial expert assessment suggested that it could be a Painted Leopard Gecko, a species previously recorded in parts of Andhra Pradesh. Final scientific confirmation is still awaited.
Key Features of the Species
- The Painted Leopard Gecko is a nocturnal reptile.
- It is usually active after sunset and remains hidden during the day.
- It has more than two dozen large, pointed scales.
- Its body is generally brown and yellow.
- Its tail has distinct black and white bands.
- It senses prey by detecting movement on the ground.
Habitat and Behaviour
The species is usually found in forested and rocky areas. During the day, it stays inside burrows, under rocks, or within dense shrubs. Such behaviour makes it difficult to observe in the wild. The Bastar terrain is considered suitable for such reptiles because of its dense forests and relatively undisturbed habitat.
Conservation Significance
Forest officials said the sighting underlines the ecological importance of Bastar’s forests, which continue to reveal rare and underexplored species. The incident also marks the need for continued biodiversity surveys, habitat protection, and scientific documentation of reptiles in central India.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026