How to Identify Different Types of Geckos
Two thousand different types of geckos exist. These small lizards, ranging in size and color, adapt easily to their surroundings and have good temperaments. They can live up to 20 years when in captivity, but may live up to 10 years only in the wild due to predators, weather and available food. Some geckos have better temperaments than others and make better pets.
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Instructions
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Identify geckos by their size and other characteristics. House geckos, the smallest geckos, grow up to 5 inches. They crawl on the outside of homes and buildings, taking refuge in cracks, crevices and light fixtures. These geckos have toe pads that allow them to crawl easily around on smooth surfaces and upside down. House geckos do not have eyelids, but have a film over their large eyes to protect them. Yellow or tan, with dark brown spots and stripes on its tail, a house gecko can live up to 10 years.
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Search during the day for day geckos. These small, brightly colored geckos live in tropical areas and get their name from being active during the day. They also have a film over their eyes instead of eyelids. Their beautiful colors of red, blue and green make them popular pets. Day geckos can grow up to 10 inches long and have toe pads that help them walk on many types of surfaces.
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Beware of the most aggressive gecko, the Tokay gecko. The largest gecko, at 12 inches long, the Tokay gecko also has a painful bite. Blue and grey, with bright orange spots, these geckos eat small mice and other geckos along with mealworms, crickets and cockroaches. They originated in southeastern Asia and northeastern India. You can find them in southern areas of the United States and the Caribbean islands.
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Recognize the golden gecko by its coloring. This gecko appears golden from above, but is actually greenish brown. The golden gecko originated in the rainforests of Vietnam and needs the most humidity in its habitat. They live up to 15 years in the wild and can live five years longer in captivity. Golden geckos grow up to 7 inches long. They can bite like Tokay geckos, but only bite if you handle them roughly. You will need to mist a captive golden gecko daily.
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Notice the different colors of the leopard gecko. These geckos are yellow or orange when younger, with stripes of various colors, and change color throughout their development. Adult leopard geckos are yellow with brown spots. The leopard geckos originated in India and Pakistan. They grow up to 9 inches long.
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Determine the fat-tailed gecko by the size of its tail. This gecko, which originated in the Sahara desert, stores fat and energy in its tail. The tail provides the ability to go days without food. Brown and tan with white stripes, the fat-tailed gecko can grow up to 10 inches long and live up to 18 years. Fat-tailed geckos do not have toe pads and have moveable eyelids.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not overly handle geckos. This will cause them stress.
References
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Comments
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I've had my gecko 15 years.
