Moorish gecko

Description:

Adults can measure up to 15 cm, tail included. They have a robust body, with their back, legs and tail with prominent conic tubercles. When the tail is regenerated, reportedly it grows smoother and doesn't have tubercles. The head is flat, with obtuse mouth, big eyes with no eyelids and vertical pupil. Fingers with big lateral growths and adherent division, with the third and fourth fingers ending in union. They are brownish grey or brown, with darker or lighter spots. The colors change in intensity according to the light. When they are active by day their colour is darker than during the night.

Habitat:

The Moorish gecko is native to coastal areas of Mediterranean region, and today it is widely spread throughout it. It was equally introduced to Americas. It is found in a variety of habitats, mainly in rocky areas, cliffs, stone walls, ruins, building walls and sometimes inside houses. Occasionally, it was found climbing trees.

Notes:

Moorish gecko is mainly nocturnal or crepuscular; but it can be active during the day, on sunny days at the end of the winter especially. They are often found sun-bathing near their refuge (like the one photographed here). They hunt insects and in the warmer months of the year it can be found hunting nocturnal insects near light sources, street lamps, etc. They lay 2 almost-spherical eggs twice a year around April and June.