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Moorish Gecko

Tarentola mauritanica

The Moorish Gecko is a small lizard that loves to climb walls and hide in cracks. They have cool patterns on their skin that help them blend in with their surroundings.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Moorish Gecko has a flattened body covered in warty tubercles, giving it a rugged appearance. Its large, lidless eyes are often golden, and its toes have broad lamellae. They typically display drab colors like grey or brown, often with darker bands.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataFamilyPhyllodactylidaeGenusTarentola
Moorish Gecko
climbing trait badgespotted trait badgesolitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badge
Moorish Gecko

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Ancient Romans believed finding a Moorish Gecko brought good luck to their homes!

Moorish Geckos can grow back their tails if they lose them, sometimes even growing two!

These tough geckos can live in very hot places, tolerating temperatures up to 40°C!

They don't have eyelids, so Moorish Geckos lick their eyes clean with their tongues!

Special abilities

Ability

Wall Walker

Moorish Geckos can cling to smooth walls and ceilings because of microscopic hairs on their toes, which helps them hunt insects in tricky spots.

Ability

Tail Escape

Moorish Geckos can drop their tail if caught by a predator, because the wiggling tail distracts the attacker, allowing the gecko to flee.

Ability

Night Vision

Moorish Geckos have excellent night vision thanks to their large eyes and specialized pupils, which helps them hunt in the dark.

Measurements & details

Length
8-16 cm
Weight
0.005-0.03 kg
Lifespan
5-10 years
Top Speed
2 km/h
Clutch Size
1-2
Incubation
60-100 days

Diet & Feeding

Moorish Geckos are insectivores, eating a variety of small creepy crawlies they find at night.

Primary Foods

  • Moths
  • Crickets
  • Spiders
  • Small beetles
  • Flies

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Domestic Cat

Felis catus

Common predator in urban and rural areas.

eaten by

Eurasian Eagle-Owl

Bubo bubo

Large nocturnal bird of prey.

eaten by

Montpellier Snake

Malpolon monspessulanus

Predator in its native Mediterranean range.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

If you see a gecko, watch it from a distance and don't try to catch it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Moorish Gecko?

8-16 cm

How much does Moorish Gecko weigh?

0.005-0.03 kg

How long does Moorish Gecko live?

5-10 years

How fast can Moorish Gecko move?

2 km/h

What does Moorish Gecko eat?

Moorish Geckos are insectivores, eating a variety of small creepy crawlies they find at night.

Where is Moorish Gecko usually found?

Urban areas

How does Moorish Gecko hunt?

Ambush

How many eggs does Moorish Gecko lay?

1-2

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Where to spot

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