Mocquard's Madagascar Ground Gecko

The Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko is a moderately-sized species which may attain a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of approximately 7.1–7.3 cm (2.8–2.9 in). The triangular head is distinctly wider than the neck, and the ear opening is a vertical slit. Like its closest relatives, the dorsal surface of this species has enlarged keeled scales arranged in longitudinal rows. The tail has spiny tubercles, which in juveniles are arranged more regularly than in adults. The limbs are robust, with lamellae-lined toe pads that are wider than the rest of the digit. The body is a tawny brown color with scattered grayish spots and three lighter crossbands. The bands are most prominent in younger individuals, where they may be white with dark borders, whereas in adults they are less distinct. Juveniles also have a distinct pattern on the head which has been described as "butterfly or bat-shaped" that becomes less visible with age. There is no banded patterning on the digits.

Older sources commonly state that Mocquard's Madagascar ground gecko is found across western and southern Madagascar in dry forests, shrubland, and rocky areas, at altitudes of 40–800 m (130–2,620 ft). However, this is due to the fact that several lineages now known to be distinct were once assigned to this species, and the aforementioned range is actually that of the species complex as a whole. Miralles et al. (2021) found that "true" Paroedura bastardi are only known from the extreme southeast of Madagascar, and that records of this species from elsewhere on the island actually represent other cryptic species including P. rennerae, P. guibeae and P. manongavato. There is some overlap in range among members of the species complex, with P. bastardi and P. guibeae occurring sympatrically in Tranoroa.

This gecko is a terrestrial species capable of climbing, and can be seen on the ground or on vertical wooden surfaces such as tree trunks. It and other species of the P. bastardi complex have been reported to be quick to bite when handled, likely as a defence mechanism. It is oviparous, laying eggs which the female buries in substrate. While this species is known to coexist with the related Paroedura guibeae in Tranoroa, molecular evidence indicates there is reproductive isolation between the two species.