Embedded Android

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The animal on the cover of Embedded Android is a Moorish wall gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), which is a species of gecko native to the Western Mediterranean region of Europe and North Africa and also found in North America and Asia. It is commonly observed on walls in urban environments, mainly in warm coastal areas, though it can spread inland, especially in Spain. The adoption of this species as a pet has led to populations becoming established in Florida and elsewhere.

The Moorish wall gecko is mainly nocturnal or crepuscular, but it is also active during the day, especially on sunny days at the end of the winter. It lays two almost-spherical eggs twice a year around April and June. After 4 months, little salamanquesas of less than 5 centimeters in length are born. They are slow to mature, taking 4 to 5 years in captivity.

Adults can measure up to 15 centimeters, including the tail. They have a robust body and flat head and their tubercules are enlarged, which give the species a spiny, armored appearance. They are brownish gray or brown with darker or lighter spots; these colors change in intensity according to the light.

The cover image is from Heck’s Nature & Science. The cover font is Adobe ITC Garamond. The text font is Adobe Minion Pro; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is Dalton Maag’s Ubuntu Mono.