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Mediterranean Gecko

Hemidactylus turcicus

Reptile · family Gekkonidae · order Squamata

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Longest recorded life
8.4 years[3]

The Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a reptile in the gecko family[4]. NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in 16 states[5][6].

Conservation status

NatureServe ranks the Mediterranean Gecko G5, which means Secure worldwide[2]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. In all 16 states where it is recorded, the state rank is SNA, which is the code NatureServe uses for non-native species[6].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern

Where Mediterranean Gecko lives

NatureServe lists this gecko as introduced, not native, in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia[5]. Most GBIF observation records come from Texas, Florida, California, Arizona and Alabama[8]. Those counts follow how much people look and report, not how many geckos live there[8]. National Park Service lists record it in 10 park units[9].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: introduced, state rank SNANVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: introduced, state rank SNACAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: introduced, state rank SNAKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: introduced, state rank SNAVAMaryland: introduced, state rank SNAMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: introduced, state rank SNAAZNew Mexico: introduced, state rank SNANMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: introduced, state rank SNAARTennessee: not recordedTNNorth Carolina: not recordedNCSouth Carolina: introduced, state rank SNASCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: introduced, state rank SNAOKLouisiana: introduced, state rank SNALAMississippi: introduced, state rank SNAMSAlabama: introduced, state rank SNAALGeorgia: introduced, state rank SNAGAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: introduced, state rank SNATXFlorida: introduced, state rank SNAFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[6].
Show state ranks (16 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSNANot Applicable
ArizonaSNANot Applicable
ArkansasSNANot Applicable
CaliforniaSNANot Applicable
FloridaSNANot Applicable
GeorgiaSNANot Applicable
KentuckySNANot Applicable
LouisianaSNANot Applicable
MarylandSNANot Applicable
MississippiSNANot Applicable
NevadaSNANot Applicable
New MexicoSNANot Applicable
OklahomaSNANot Applicable
South CarolinaSNANot Applicable
TexasSNANot Applicable
VirginiaSNANot Applicable

Habitat

In the US, this gecko is usually found on or in buildings, on walls and ceilings[10]. It is also recorded under palm leaves, in tree bark crevices and on rocky outcrops[10]. NatureServe lists its habitat types as bare rock, suburban or orchard areas, urban areas and riparian areas, which are places beside water[11]. It may nest in dirt piles, under boards, in old stumps, in rock crevices or in the eaves of buildings[10].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[11]

Size, diet and lifespan

Its diet is made up of insects, spiders, isopods and similar small animals without backbones[12]. NatureServe describes adults as invertivores, meaning animals that eat invertebrates[13]. It often feeds on insects that gather around lights[12]. Typical length is about 13 cm (5 in)[14]. In Texas, eggs are laid from May to early September, with a clutch size of 2[15]. Some females lay more than one clutch a year, and they can mature within 1 year[15]. The longest recorded lifespan, from AnAge, was in captivity, and it is a record, not a typical lifespan[3].

Trait Value
Typical length[14] 13 cm (5 in)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[3] 8.4 years (captivity)
Food habits[13] Invertivore
Migration[16] non-migrant

When to look for it

Adults are nocturnal, which means active at night, and crepuscular, which means active around dawn and dusk[17]. NatureServe lists it as a non-migrant, though populations can differ[16]. GBIF records in the US peak in August, September and October[18]. January has the fewest records and September has the most[18]. These counts show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[18].

January: 778 recordsJanFebruary: 1,248 recordsFebMarch: 2,418 recordsMarApril: 3,194 recordsAprMay: 2,866 recordsMayJune: 2,700 recordsJunJuly: 4,019 recordsJulAugust: 5,117 recordsAugSeptember: 6,352 recordsSepOctober: 4,377 recordsOctNovember: 1,853 recordsNovDecember: 1,102 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[18].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January778
February1,248
March2,418
April3,194
May2,866
June2,700
July4,019
August5,117
September6,352
October4,377
November1,853
December1,102

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Mediterranean Gecko as present in 10 park units[9]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, Alabama[8]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Mediterranean Gecko endangered?
No. It is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure[2].
Is the Mediterranean Gecko native to the US?
NatureServe lists it as introduced, not native, in 16 states[6], including Texas, Florida and California[5].
What does the Mediterranean Gecko eat?
Its diet is made up of insects, spiders, isopods and similar small animals[12]. It often feeds on insects around lights[12].
How big is the Mediterranean Gecko?
Typical length recorded by NatureServe is 13 cm (5 in)[14].
How long does the Mediterranean Gecko live?
The longest recorded lifespan, from AnAge, was in captivity. It is a record, not a typical lifespan[3].

Facts and sources

  1. Mediterranean Gecko is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Mediterranean Gecko: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 8.4 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  4. Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a reptile in the family Gekkonidae, order Squamata. NatureServe Explorer
  5. NatureServe lists Mediterranean Gecko as introduced (not native) in: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe state ranks for Mediterranean Gecko (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Mediterranean Gecko: Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, Alabama. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  9. NPSpecies park lists recording Mediterranean Gecko as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  10. NatureServe notes on habitat for Mediterranean Gecko. NatureServe Explorer
  11. Habitat types NatureServe records for Mediterranean Gecko: Bare rock/talus/scree, Suburban/orchard, Urban/edificarian, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on food for Mediterranean Gecko. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  14. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 13 cm (5 in). NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Mediterranean Gecko. NatureServe Explorer
  16. NatureServe migration category for Mediterranean Gecko: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  17. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Nocturnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  18. GBIF observation records of Mediterranean Gecko in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.