Hemidactylus garnotii Photo Fiona Sunquist ©
The Indo-Pacific Gecko is native to Southeast Asia but is now found throughout most of Florida. Scientists believe that this species may be spreading throughout Florida and the southeast in shipments of cultivated palm trees.
The Indo-Pacific Gecko is four to five inches long, grey to brown in color, and has a single row of large spine like scales along the edge of its tail.
Photo Fiona Sunquist ©
Though the Indo-pacific gecko resembles the Mediterranean gecko, the two species can be distinguished by the Indo-Pacific’s smooth skin. In addition, the Indo-Pacific gecko is the only species of house gecko with a yellow-orange belly.
The Indo-Pacific gecko is replacing the Mediterranean Gecko in many parts of south Florida. Both species are usually found near humans, usually around buildings with lights, although the Indo-Pacific is also found in many of South Florida’s native habitats.
Indo-Pacific geckos are nocturnal, emerging at night to wait near walkway and wall lights, where they feed on insects attracted to the lights. Unlike other lizards, these geckos vocalize, making squeaking or barking noises as they fight about territory.
This gecko is unisexual, reproducing by parthenogenesis – a process in which eggs grow and hatch without fertilization.
Photo Fiona Sunquist ©
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