Types of Geckos

Geckos are small reptiles that can be found all around the world. They are in the lizard family and live in warm habitats such as deserts, rainforests, swamps and grasslands. Geckos are the only lizard to make vocal sounds.

  1. Varieties

    • The gecko family consists of three subfamilies that comprise 600 varieties.

    Behavior

    • About 75 percent of geckos are nocturnal, and most have fused eyelids that they lick constantly to keep clean.

    Anatomy

    • All varieties of geckos have flat bodies, short necks and wide, flat heads with big eyes. Their toe-like digits have tiny hooks on the bottom that allow them to walk up walls and even crawl across ceilings.

    Diet

    • Geckos feed on small insects and bugs such as mosquitoes and termites, so having them in your yard is actually beneficial.

    Threat Level

    • Geckos are not poisonous or dangerous and do not pose any threat to your family or pets.

    Domestic

    • Many geckos are kept as pets and are easy to care for. Some common pet gecko breeds include the leopard gecko, tokay gecko, banded gecko and marbled gecko.