Geckos: Gekkonidae

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Geckos (Gekkonidae) are the family of warm weather lizards found in most tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

The eight hundred or so documented gecko species, makes them the second largest group of lizards next to skinks. New species continued to be discovered.

Most gecko species are fairly small, around six inches in length, and over ninety percent of all gecko species are nocturnal, active during the night. Because of this, their eyes are adapted for night vision and they have no moving eyelids.

Geckos are probably best known for their sticky footed ability walk on walls and ceilings, although most species call trees their natural home.

The top picture shows a colorful Madgascar Day gecko, an above average sized species, showing typical gecko eyes.

As with many other groups in the animal kingdom, there are some general exceptions to the basic gecko description. Eublepharid geckos are a group of geckos with movable eyelids that lack the ability to climb on walls and ceilings. Banded Geckos and the bottom picture of a Leopard Gecko are representative of the group.

Six native gecko species divided into three genera, can be found in the United States.

• 4 species of Banded Geckos (Coleonyx): C. brevis - Texas Banded Gecko; C. reticulatus - Reticulated Gecko; C. switaki - Barefoot Gecko; C. variegatus - Western Banded Gecko
• 1 species of Leaf-toed Gecko (Phyllodactylus); P. nocticolus - Insular Leaf-toed Gecko
• Dwarf Geckos (Sphaerodactylus): S. notatus - Reef Gecko

Other non-native gecko species are found in the wild, especially in Florida. The Reef Gecko is Florida's only native species.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels