Reporting Cannibalistic Behavior in the Yellow Belly Gecko Hemidactylus flaviviridis, Ruppell, 1835 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), from Ahmednagar District of Maharashtra, India

The purpose of this research is to record, examine and document instances of cannibalistic behavior in the yellow-bellied gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis Ruppell, 1835) in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Although it hasn't been studied in great detail, cannibalism in reptiles provides important insights into the behavioral ecology of species, especially in settings with limited resources. Observation was conducted in semi-urban habitats in Maharashtra. A direct visual encounter was used to document the cannibalism incident. To ascertain the size and age classes of both predators and prey, morphological measures were made. An adult gecko was shown to have engaged in cannibalism. Predation was most common in the premonsoon season when there was little other prey available. Predator geckos were noticeably bigger on average than their prey counterparts. According to the analysis, cannibalism might be a survival tactic used when food supplies are scarce. Behavioral observations suggested that cannibalism was not a regular feeding habit, but rather an opportunistic behavior. The findings of this study offer the first proof of cannibalism in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra's Hemidactylus flaviviridis. The results underscore the species' ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions by implying that resource scarcity may be the driving force behind this behavior. Comprehending these actions is essential for gaining a wider understanding of the species' ecology and could have consequences for managing and conserving them.