Appearance
Adults can measure up to 15 cm, tail included. Robust body and flat head. Back, legs and tail with prominent conic tubercles. Its regenerated tail is smoother and doesn't have tubercles. Obtuse mouth, big eyes with no eyelids and vertical pupil. Fingers with big lateral growths and adherent division less laminae in the bottom face. Only the third and fourth fingers end in union. Brownish grey or brown coloration with darker or lighter spots. These colours change in intensity according to the light. When they are active by day their colour is darker than during the night. It can be found on many construction sites, ruins, rock fields, tree trunks, etc.
Naming
Its widespread introduction has attracted many common names, including variants on common or Moorish wall gecko and Salamanquesa, crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and Maurita naca gecko.
Distribution
The introduction of the species may impact on native fauna, by preying on frogs and smaller lizards. The adoption of this species as a pet has led to populations becoming established in Florida and elsewhere.
Behavior
Mainly nocturnal or crepuscular. Also active during the day, on sunny days at the end of the winter especially. They like to receive sunlight near their refuge. 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. After 4 months, little "salamanquesas" of less than 5 cm in length are born. Moorish geckos are slow to mature, taking 4 to 5 years in captivity.
Predators
It is the host of "Haemoproteus tarentolae", a protozoan species in the genus "Haemoproteus" and "Esther`s gecko mite.References:
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