Scientists in India have confirmed the discovery of a new gecko species living high in the evergreen forests of the Valparai Plateau. The animal was first noticed at nearly 4,600 feet above sea level, where researchers found it moving across large boulders. DNA tests later proved that it was genetically different from all known dwarf geckos.

The lizard, now called the Valparai dwarf gecko, lives in small rocky pockets near Tenkasi, a region known for its temples, tea estates, and protected forest areas. Although it is considered large for its family, it measures only about 4.5 inches. Its red eyes, scale pattern, and long fingers helped experts recognize that it was something new.

Researchers also observed striking differences in color. Two males showed yellow-brown bodies with darker patches on their tails, including one that had regrown part of its tail. The female was darker overall, with softer yellow markings and an orange-brown tail. All three were found in caves or on nearby rocks within a narrow elevation range.

The study, carried out by scientists from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, also identified four more related dwarf gecko species. Each one occupies its own small habitat, a pattern known as extreme micro-endemism. Several additional species may also live within a short distance on the nearby Anaimalai Tiger Reserve.

The findings highlight how India’s high-altitude evergreen forests still hold many hidden and highly specialized forms of wildlife, often found in areas no larger than a single stretch of hillside.