Turkish gecko, Moon lizard
The Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a species of house gecko common to the Mediterranean area which has spread to many parts of the world. It is commonly referred to as the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name and also as the moon lizard because it emerges in the evening.
The Mediterranean gecko is a very small lizard with sticky toe pads, vertical pupils, and large eyes that lack eyelids. Its snout is rounded, about as long as the distance between the eye and the ear opening; its forehead is slightly concave; ear-opening is oval, oblique, nearly half the diameter of the eye. Digits variable in length, the inner always well developed; 6 to 8 lamellae under the inner digits, 8 to 10 under the fourth finger, and 9 to 11 under the fourth toe. Head with large granules anteriorly, posteriorly with minute granules intermixed with round tubercles. The upper surface of the body is covered with minute granules intermixed with large tubercles, generally larger than the spaces between them, suboval, trihedral, and arranged in 14 or 16 pretty, regular longitudinal series. Abdominal scales are small, smooth, roundish-hexagonal, and imbricate. The tail is cylindrical, slightly depressed, tapering, covered above with minute scales and transverse series of large keeled tubercles, beneath with a series of large transversely dilated plates. The gecko is light brown or grayish above, spotted with darker; many of the tubercles are white, and the lower surfaces are white. Individuals may be completely translucent except for the spotting. Some are darker.
Native to the Mediterranean region, these house geckos have spread over much of the world and established stable populations far from their origins. They can be found in countries with Mediterranean climates such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy (including Lampedusa island, Elba), Israel, Albania, Greece, Malta, North Macedonia, coastal Croatia (except western Istria), Czech Republic (only warm parts of Moravia and Czech Silesia), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adriatic islands, coastal Montenegro, coastal part of Albania, Cyprus, Turkey, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria, Libya, Egypt, Lebanon, northern Yemen (Socotra Archipelago), Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya, southern Iran, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan, India, and Balearic Islands (Island Addaya Grande). These little creatures inhabit shrubland, salt marshes, rocky and coastal areas, stones, cliffs, and caves. They tend to take shelter in the tree barks, cracks, and unseen areas of human homes, for example inside walls.
Mediterranean house geckos are nocturnal and may be seen singularly or in a group ranging from 2 to 5 individuals. During the day they usually hide under stones, in cracks and caves, and may come out sometimes to bask in the sun. If disturbed they will seek darkness to hide. Males are highly territorial and will vigorously defend their foraging areas. Mediterranean house geckos emit a distinctive, high-pitched call somewhat like a squeak or the chirp of a bird, possibly expressing a territorial message.
Mediterranean house geckos are carnivores (insectivores). They feed on various insects, moths, spiders, small roaches and are attracted to outdoor lights in search of these prey.
Mediterranean house geckos usually mate from March to July. Females lay 2 or 3 clutches per year consisting of 1-2 eggs. They lay their egg under stones, in trunk cracks, or bury them in the moist soil where they are incubated for around 1-3 months.
There are no major threats to Mediterranean house geckos at present. In some Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Turkey and Cyprus, it is taboo to harm them due to their benign nature and they are often kept as house pets.
According to IUCN, the Mediterranean house gecko is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are increasing.
