Information About Crocodile Geckos

The crocodile or Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica) is also known as the wall gecko. Crocodile geckos can climb up walls and windows and hang effortlessly from ceilings. There are a number of recognized subspecies spread across the crocodile gecko's range, as well as several closely related species living on the Canary Islands and in North Africa. Crocodile geckos are frequently kept as pets.

  1. Description

    • The crocodile gecko grows to six inches in length with a pointed head and a robust body. The tail is long and tapered with protruding scales, called tubercules, that give it a spiny appearance. The flanks and back also have spine-like tubercules. Crocodile geckos can change color from creamy-fawn to dark brown depending on the surface they are resting on. The belly and undersides are always pure white. The toe pads are undivided with a small nail and the large eyes are golden with vertical pupils and no eyelids.

    Range

    • The species is found in coastal areas of southern Mediterranean Europe and North Africa. It is also found inland in Spain and can survive at altitudes of up to 6,000 feet above sea level. Crocodile geckos have escaped and become naturalized in San Diego County, California and Miami-Dade County, Florida.

    Habitat

    • Originally crocodile geckos were found on stony, arid ground and coastal plains, as well as open forests and scrubland. The species has now colonized arable land and walls and can be found on houses and even inside buildings. They are fond of hunting around street and veranda lights at night and will climb trees.

    Behavior

    • Crocodile geckos are solitary animals that spend the day hidden in crevices and under stones. At night they come out to hunt small insects and arthropods and they can sometimes be found basking in sunlight close to their refuge. Males will aggressively defend their territories, making squeaking noises during fights. Crocodile geckos will shed their tails if threatened or handled roughly. The dropped tail writhes for several minutes.

    Captivity

    • A pair of crocodile geckos kept in a 20 gallon tank with a sand or paper substrate and several stable rocks make interesting and easy to look after pets. Geckos need live food in the form of crickets or mealworms and will also take live pinkies (day old mice). The food should be dusted with reptile multivitamins. One corner of the tank should be kept damp and a heat lamp should be provided. Two males kept together will fight, sometimes to the death.