Moorish gecko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Moorish gecko
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Native range      Introduced range

Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas (in Montevideo, Buenos Aires and California). A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in) long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is also known as moorish gecko, crocodile gecko, European common gecko, and, regionally, as osga (in Portuguese), salamanquesa (in Spanish) and dragó (in Catalan).

Description

Adults can measure up to 15 centimetres (5.9 in), 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.

Distribution

In Europe it can be found through most of the Iberian Peninsula (except northwestern Portugal and most of northern Spain), southern France, coastal Italy, southern Slovenia, northern coastal Croatia and southwestern parts of Greece. In North Africa it ranges from northern Egypt, through northern Libya, northern and central Tunisia, and northern Algeria to most of Morocco. There is an isolated introduced population in southern Western Sahara. It can live up to 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) in altitude.

Biology

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 centimetres (2.0 in) in length are born. Moorish geckos are slow to mature, taking 4 to 5 years in captivity.

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.

It is the host of Haemoproteus tarentolae, a protozoan species in the genus Haemoproteus, and Esther's gecko mite (Geckobia estherae), endemic to Malta.

Image gallery

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  Tarentola mauritanica, Spain

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  Tarentola mauritanica from the region of Montpellier

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  Tarentola mauritanica, Portugal

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  Individual recently hatched

See also

Lists

• List of reptiles of Europe
  • List of reptiles of Metropolitan France
  • List of amphibians and reptiles of Gibraltar
  • List of reptiles of Italy
  • List of reptiles of Spain
• List of reptiles of Morocco
• List of reptiles of North America
  • List of reptiles of California

other

• Fauna of Europe
• Wildlife of Algeria
• Amphibia in the 10th edition of Systema Naturae