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Wildlife Guide · Tropical and subtropical worldwide & some temperate regions

Gecko

Infraorder Gekkota — ~1,500 species across six families worldwide

Nocturnal lizards of walls and forests — adhesive toes and unmistakable calls.

Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered)
A gecko clinging to a vertical wall showing adhesive toe pads, large eyes and mottled skin.

Image: Source: Wikimedia Commons — verify license before production

In brief

Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.

By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated

Geckos are lizards of the infraorder Gekkota, numbering roughly 1,500 species on every continent except Antarctica. They range from house geckos on tropical walls to giant New Caledonian geckos exceeding 35 centimetres. Many possess toe pads using van der Waals forces for climbing smooth surfaces; others have claws alone. Geckos vocalise — unusual among lizards — with chirps and barks. They control insects in homes and ecosystems but face habitat loss, pet trade demand and invasive species competition.

1,500+

Recognised gecko species

35 cm

Length of giant New Caledonian gecko

Van der Waals

Toe pad adhesion mechanism

Varies

IUCN status by species

Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Gekkota assessments, Smithsonian National Zoo — gecko, Encyclopaedia Britannica — gecko and other references on this page.

Gecko: Quick Facts

Vital statistics and key facts about the Gecko
Species ~1,500 worldwide
Toe pads Adhesive setae (many species)
Activity Mostly nocturnal; day geckos diurnal
Vocalisation Chirps and barks common
Pet species Leopard, crested, tokay geckos
Eyelids Absent in many; present in leopard gecko

Scientific Classification

Scientific classification of the Gecko
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Reptilia
Order Squamata
Infraorder Gekkota

Conservation Status

IUCN Status
Most common species Least Concern; island and range-restricted geckos Endangered or Critically Endangered.
Population
Unknown for most; tokay gecko heavily traded
Trend
Decreasing for forest specialists and over-harvested species
Assessed
Varies by species
CITES
Several rare species on Appendix I or II; tokay gecko Appendix II in some range states

Invasive house geckos complicate conservation on islands with native gekkotan faunas.

Key Facts: Gecko

  • Gecko toe pads stick via microscopic setae and intermolecular forces — no glue.
  • Tokay and leopard geckos dominate the pet trade; verify captive-bred origin.
  • House geckos Hemidactylus benefit humans by eating mosquitoes and moths.
  • Day geckos Phelsuma are diurnal and brightly coloured — popular but specialist pets.
  • Indonesia and Malaysia — WARN partners — harbour exceptional gekkotan diversity.
  • Invasive geckos outcompete natives on islands and in new regions.

Gecko diversity and adhesion

Gekkota splits into families including Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae and Diplodactylidae. Eyelids are absent in many species — transparent spectacle scales protect eyes. Nocturnal species have vertical pupils; day geckos have round pupils and bright green or blue colouration. Adhesive toe pads contain millions of microscopic setae branching into spatulae. Temporary molecular attraction lets geckos run up glass and hang from ceilings. Some species regenerate lost tails; others lack this ability. Vocal cords enable mating calls and territorial chirps — a gekkotan signature absent from most lizards.

Ecology and household allies

Wild geckos eat insects, spiders, small invertebrates and nectar in some day geckos. Common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus follows human habitation globally — sometimes invasive, sometimes welcomed pest control. In tropical forests, geckos occupy leaf litter, tree bark and cave walls. Giant geckos Rhacodactylus of New Caledonia are fruit-insect omnivores threatened by deforestation and chytrid-like pathogens in captivity. Population declines affect range-restricted island species from Mauritius to the Caribbean. Habitat fragmentation removes microhabitats geckos need.

Pet trade and conservation

Leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius from Pakistan and Afghanistan — a WARN partner region — is heavily captive-bred for pets, with eyelids unlike many geckos. Tokay gecko Gekko gecko faces poaching for traditional medicine markets in Asia despite questionable efficacy. CITES lists several rare species on Appendix I or II. Smuggling of New Caledonian and Madagascan species supplies collectors. Captive care requires temperature gradients, calcium supplementation and appropriate humidity — species-specific, not one-size-fits-all.

Geckos and people

Southeast Asian folklore treats house geckos as omens; their calls punctuate tropical nights. In Pakistan and India, geckos share walls with humans harmlessly, consuming insects attracted to lights. Never release pet geckos outdoors — invasive house geckos disrupt native lizard communities in Florida, Hawaii and elsewhere. Readers can welcome wild geckos as allies, reject medicine products using tokay parts and support forest protection in Indonesia and Malaysia where gekkotan diversity peaks.

What WARN Does

WARN educates readers in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia — centres of gecko diversity and trade routes — about reptile stewardship, habitat protection and rejecting wildlife products without proven benefit.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

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Gecko: Frequently Asked Questions

How many gecko species are there?
Roughly 1,500 species in infraorder Gekkota, on every continent except Antarctica. The count grows as taxonomists describe new species.

How do geckos stick to walls?
Microscopic hair-like setae on toe pads create van der Waals forces — molecular attraction without glue or suction cups.

Do geckos make noise?
Yes. Many geckos chirp, bark or click — especially tokay and house geckos. Vocalisation is unusual among lizards.

Are geckos good pets?
Leopard and crested geckos are common captive-bred pets with specific heat and diet needs. Wild-caught rare species should never be purchased.

What do geckos eat?
Wild geckos eat insects, spiders, small invertebrates and nectar in some day geckos. Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.

Where do geckos live?
Geckos live on every continent except Antarctica, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions with some temperate species. They occupy rainforest canopy, desert rocks, cave walls and human buildings. Adhesive toe pads using van der Waals forces let many species climb smooth surfaces; others rely on claws alone. Roughly 1,500 species are recognised. House geckos have spread globally with human transport, sometimes outcompeting native geckos.

Are geckos dangerous?
Most geckos are harmless to people. The tokay gecko can deliver a painful bite if handled but has no venom fatal to humans. Geckos are lizards, not snakes, and most species are small insect predators. Rare island and forest specialists face Critically Endangered status from habitat loss and trade. Never release pet geckos outdoors — invasive house geckos disrupt native lizard communities in Florida, Hawaii and elsewhere.

How big is a gecko?
Gecko size spans enormous range across roughly 1,500 species. Common house geckos are a few centimetres long, while the giant New Caledonian gecko exceeds 35 cm — the largest cited in this guide. Toe pads using van der Waals forces let many species climb smooth surfaces. Vocal chirps and barks are unusual among lizards. IUCN status varies by species from Least Concern to Critically Endangered for range-restricted island forms.

How long do geckos live?
A precise wild lifespan for geckos is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

Sources & References

Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.

Terms used on this page

Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.

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