# Mediterranean House Gecko (*Hemidactylus turcicus*) The Mediterranean House Gecko is a small lizard that loves to live near people. They have soft, scaly skin and can change color a little to blend in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 24 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Common House Gecko, Turkish Gecko ![Mediterranean House Gecko](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Mediterranean_house_gecko.JPG&width=800) Photo: ZooFari, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mediterranean_house_gecko.JPG) ## Appearance The Mediterranean House Gecko has translucent, bumpy skin, often mottled in shades of gray, tan, or pinkish-brown, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. It possesses large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils and sticky toe pads, making it distinct from many other small lizards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Gekkonidae - **Genus:** Hemidactylus ## Interesting facts - Female geckos often lay their eggs in communal spots, sharing safe nurseries for their babies! - These geckos clean their lidless eyes by licking them with their tongue – imagine that! - They can sometimes change their skin color slightly to become a super camouflage master! - You can sometimes see their internal organs through their almost transparent skin! ## Special abilities - **Super Sticky Toes:** Mediterranean House Geckos can climb smooth walls and ceilings because of microscopic hairs on their toe pads that provide incredible grip. - **Tail Escape Artist:** Mediterranean House Geckos can detach their tail if caught, which wiggles to distract predators while they run to safety. - **Night Vision Goggles:** Mediterranean House Geckos have huge, lidless eyes with vertical pupils that help them see very well and hunt bugs in the dark. - **Chirp Communicator:** Mediterranean House Geckos make soft clicking or chirping sounds to talk to each other, especially to defend their territory. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.012 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 50-90 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and other small invertebrates to stay strong. - **Primary Foods:** Moths, Crickets, Spiders, Small Beetles, Mosquitoes, Cockroaches - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Common predator in human-modified environments. - **Hunts:** German Cockroach (*Blattella germanica*) — A common household pest and food source. - **Hunts:** [Yellow Fever Mosquito](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-fever-mosquito) (*Aedes aegypti*) — Helps control mosquito populations in homes. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Some native snakes may prey on geckos. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't try to catch geckos; they are best left in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mediterranean House Gecko? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Mediterranean House Gecko? 10-15 cm ### How much does Mediterranean House Gecko weigh? 0.003-0.012 kg ### How long does Mediterranean House Gecko live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Mediterranean House Gecko move? 8 km/h ### What does Mediterranean House Gecko eat? Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and other small invertebrates to stay strong. ### Where is Mediterranean House Gecko usually found? Urban areas ### How does Mediterranean House Gecko hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Downtown Tuscaloosa Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-tuscaloosa-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [French Quarter](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/french-quarter) — US · Neighborhood - [Gorgas-Manly Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gorgas-manly-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Campus - [Savannah–Ogeechee Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/savannah-ogeechee-canal) — Georgia, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Mediterranean House Gecko](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mediterranean-house-gecko) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Mediterranean House Gecko: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mediterranean-house-gecko)