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Mediterranean gecko

Hemidactylus turcicus · Lizards · Reptiles

Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus): Soft, see-through skin; pale pink to white with dark markings on the back and tail (NDOW). Large lidless eyes with vertical pupils and sticky toe pads (NDOW). This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the mediterranean gecko map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Scientific name
Hemidactylus turcicus
Family
Gekkonidae
In North America
Introduced
Range
Introduced in North America. Native to the Mediterranean region and nearby (NatureServe; NDOW); established from Florida to Texas and north into southeastern states, in Arizona and southern California, and in southern Nevada urban areas (NatureServe; NDOW).
Biology

How to identify it

Soft, see-through skin; pale pink to white with dark markings on the back and tail (NDOW). [1][2]

Large lidless eyes with vertical pupils and sticky toe pads (NDOW). [1][2]

Bumpy skin covered with small raised tubercles, which separates it from the native western banded gecko (NDOW). [1][2]

Compared with the western banded gecko: Native western banded gecko lacks the Mediterranean gecko's raised tubercles on bumpy skin (NDOW). [1][2]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Confirm a mediterranean gecko before you act. Compared with the western banded gecko: Native western banded gecko lacks the Mediterranean gecko's raised tubercles on bumpy skin (NDOW).[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

In North America usually on or in occupied buildings, on walls and ceilings; also under palm leaves, in bark crevices and rocky outcrops (NatureServe; NDOW). [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Nocturnal; often seen on buildings, window screens and walls near lights hunting moths, crickets, cockroaches and spiders, hiding in cracks and crevices or under bark by day (NDOW; NatureServe). [1][2]

Can vocalize with chirps and clicks and can drop its tail (NDOW). [1][2]

Females lay two eggs per clutch, several clutches a year, often in communal nests (NDOW); in Texas eggs are laid May to early September (NatureServe). [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for removal or nuisance take

These authorities list this species as nuisance, invasive or unprotected wildlife that may be taken. This is not a game season.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Introduced in North America. Native to the Mediterranean region and nearby (NatureServe; NDOW); established from Florida to Texas and north into southeastern states, in Arizona and southern California, and in southern Nevada urban areas (NatureServe; NDOW).

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe

  2. Nevada Department of Wildlife · reviewed 2026-09-30

    Nevada Department of Wildlife