Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Gekkonidae Mediterranean Gecko Status: Potential Colonizer Description: A small gecko with numerous tubercles scattered across the dorsal surface of head trunk and tail. Adults reach 60 mm SVL and 127 mm TL (Conant and Collins 1998). The pattern is variable but usually consists of dark irregular blotches on a lighter ground color. Like most other geckos, the amount of patterning depends a lot on the substrate on which the animal is observed. Individuals seen on light colored walls can be very pale and nearly patternless. This species is very similar in appearance to other small geckos found in the Marianas. It can be distinguished from all others by the presence of numerous tubercles on the dorsum. Biology: The Mediterranean gecko is another commensal species that thrives in disturbed and human modified habitats. It is most often observed on walls near a light source that attracts insects, especially if the wall has cracks or fissures into which they can retreat. It feeds mostly on small invertebrates though smaller geckos are probably also occasionally taken. Distribution: Native to North Africa, southern Europe and the middle East. Populations are established it the Southern and Southwestern United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Panama. |