New Bent-toed Gecko Species Discovered in Assam

Key facts

• A new species of gecko named Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis has been discovered near Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district, Assam.
• The species is named after Raimona National Park.
• Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the discovery on 13 April 2026.
• The adult Raimona bent-toed Gecko can reach a maximum snout‑vent length of 71.1 mm.
• Genetic analysis places the species within the Cyrtodactylus septentrionalis group.
• Raimona National Park lies in the westernmost part of Assam at altitudes between 85 and 1,042 metres above sea level.
• The park, together with Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, forms a transboundary conservation landscape of more than 2,400 square kilometres.
• The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government heads the park and the Kachugaon Forest Division administers it.
• The park’s flagship endangered species is the Golden Langur, and it also hosts Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Indian Gaur, Wild Buffalo, Spotted Deer, Hornbill and numerous orchids.
• The park records over 150 butterfly species, 170 bird species and 380 plant species.