Reptiles
Mediterranean Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus · also called Mediterranean geckos
After dark on a warm city porch, a Mediterranean gecko clings motionless beside a glowing light fixture, waiting for the insects the bulb has already begun attracting, a hunting strategy that has let this small, pale gecko thrive in cities its ancestors never actually lived in.
Overview
The Mediterranean gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, is a small, pale, nocturnal gecko native to the Mediterranean Basin that has since spread to warm coastal cities across the southern United States and other regions worldwide. Its ability to hitchhike in cargo and thrive around artificial lighting make it one of the more successful reptile stowaways found anywhere.
A gecko that followed the cargo
Few reptiles have expanded their range as passively and effectively as the Mediterranean gecko, riding along in shipments to new continents entirely by accident and then thriving once it arrived, aided by little more than warm walls and a nearby porch light.
Status
Least Concern, increasing — stable within its native Mediterranean range and expanding across numerous introduced regions worldwide.
Mediterranean Gecko: common questions
How did the Mediterranean gecko spread so far beyond its native range?
The Mediterranean gecko has spread well beyond its native range around the Mediterranean Basin largely by hitchhiking undetected in cargo shipments, allowing it to establish thriving populations in warm coastal cities across multiple continents, including much of the southern United States.
Why do Mediterranean geckos gather near porch lights?
A Mediterranean gecko frequently hunts near porch lights, streetlamps, and other artificial light sources because these lights attract a steady supply of insects at night, turning an ordinary outdoor light fixture into a reliable, easy hunting ground for the gecko.
Can you see through a Mediterranean gecko's skin?
To some extent, yes — the Mediterranean gecko has notably thin, semi-translucent, pale pinkish-grey skin, and internal organs can sometimes be faintly seen through it, particularly in younger or lighter-coloured individuals.
Do Mediterranean geckos make sounds?
Yes, the Mediterranean gecko produces soft clicking or chirping calls, making it one of relatively few reptile species known to vocalise regularly, a trait that can sometimes be heard around buildings where the species has established itself.