Archive · 31 Oct 2025
New Gecko Species Discovered in Tirumala Hills Named After Lord Venkateswara
Scientists exploring the forests in the sacred Tirumala hills found a tiny new type of lizard, a gecko.
They named it Hemiphyllodactylus venkataradri, which means 'mountain that removes sins,' after Lord Venkateswara.
This little gecko is different from other similar geckos in its genes and has unique physical features.
It's only the second Hemiphyllodactylus gecko found in Andhra Pradesh, showing there's still much to discover in India's nature.
This discovery highlights how important it is to explore and study nature, even the smallest creatures.
It's like finding a hidden treasure that reminds us of India's amazing natural world.
A new species of slender gecko, named Hemiphyllodactylus venkataradri, has been discovered in India's Tirumala hills.
The discovery was made by scientists from the Zoological Survey of India during an expedition in the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve.
The new gecko species shows significant genetic variations from its closest relatives in peninsular India.
Its name, Hemiphyllodactylus venkataradri, is derived from 'Venkata' and 'Adri', honoring Lord Venkateswara and the Tirumala mountains.
The finding has been formally published in the international journal Herpetozoa, emphasizing the biodiversity of the Eastern Ghats.
- Who
- Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
- What
- Discovered and identified a new species of slender gecko, named Hemiphyllodactylus venkataradri.
- When
- Published on October 31, 2025
- Where
- Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in the Tirumala hill ranges, Andhra Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The species was named after Lord Venkateswara (from 'Venkata' and 'Adri') to honor the sanctity of the Tirumala hills.
- Species Name
- Hemiphyllodactylus venkataradri (Venkataradri slender gecko)
- Genus
- Hemiphyllodactylus
- Location of Discovery
- Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Tirumala hills, Andhra Pradesh, India
- Altitude
- 881 meters above sea level
- Discovering Institution
- Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
- Publication
- Herpetozoa