Description

• Hemidactylus frenatus is a small, slender gecko in the family Gekkonidae, commonly called the common house gecko. It has large eyes, adhesive toe pads, a flattened body, and a long tail with rows of small tubercles. Adults are usually pale grey, tan, or brown, often with darker mottling or bands, and may become darker or lighter depending on conditions.

Range

• Native to South and Southeast Asia, H. frenatus has become widely established throughout tropical and subtropical regions, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. It is widespread along the Pacific coast of Mexico and occurs around Zihuatanejo.

Habitat

• It is strongly associated with human habitation but also occurs in tropical forest, woodland edges, scrub, gardens, plantations, and other disturbed environments. It commonly shelters on walls, ceilings, tree trunks, buildings, and beneath loose bark, and is especially active around artificial lights at night.

Diet

• Hemidactylus frenatus is primarily insectivorous, feeding on moths, flies, mosquitoes, beetles, cockroaches, termites, crickets, and other small arthropods attracted to lights. It may also consume spiders and other small invertebrates, with larger individuals occasionally taking small lizards or other suitable prey.