House Gecko

The common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is a small, chirping lizard from South and Southeast Asia that has spread around the world by hitching rides on ships. It is often seen hunting insects around lights at night, and it is sometimes kept as a beginner-friendly pet.

House gecko Quick Facts

Common name	House gecko
Scientific name	Hemidactylus frenatus
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Squamata
Family	Gekkonidae
Genus	Hemidactylus
Type	Reptile; small gecko that lives in homes
Diet	Crickets, fruit flies and mealworms
Habitat	Human homes; warm, humid places
Native range	Tropical Asia
Size	3-7 inches long
Lifespan	About 2-10 years
Special feature	Drops its tail when stressed; it grows back

A Gecko That Travels the World

House geckos are native to tropical Asia, but they now live in warm places across the globe, including Africa, Australia, the Pacific islands and parts of the Americas. In the United States, they are found in places like Florida, Texas and Hawaii, often living on the walls of buildings.

People sometimes confuse this species with the Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), a close relative that has also spread to the southern United States. The two look similar, but the Mediterranean gecko has bumpier skin.

House geckos are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They are also noisy for lizards: they make a sharp “chik-chik-chik” call to communicate with each other.

Anatomy

Adult house geckos are about 3 to 6 inches (7.5 to 15 cm) long, including the tail. Their skin is mostly smooth with tiny scales, and their color is usually pale gray, tan or pinkish. They can turn darker or lighter depending on temperature and mood.

Like many geckos, they have big eyes with vertical pupils and no eyelids. Instead of blinking, they lick their eyes clean with their tongues.

Their toes are their superpower. Under each toe are rows of pads covered in millions of microscopic hairs. These hairs grip surfaces so well that a gecko can run up walls and across ceilings. The name Hemidactylus means “half-toe,” because the pads are split into two rows.

In the wild, house geckos usually live about five years. In good care, they can live up to around ten.

Housing

A single house gecko or a pair can live in a 10-gallon terrarium, but taller is better, because these geckos love to climb. A 20-gallon tall tank works well for a small group. Never keep two males together, since they will fight.

Add branches, cork bark, sturdy live or artificial plants and a few hiding spots. House geckos are escape artists and can squeeze through tiny gaps, so make sure the lid fits tightly and has no openings.

Heating and Lighting

Reptiles cannot make their own body heat, so they need a warm side and a cooler side in their tank. That lets the gecko move around to warm up or cool down.

During the day, aim for about 75 to 85 degrees F (24 to 29 C) across most of the tank, with a basking spot around 90 F (32 C). At night, temperatures can drop to about 70 to 75 F (21 to 24 C). Use a thermometer at each end so you are not guessing. A low-level UVB light on a regular day-night schedule is also helpful.

Humidity and Shedding

House geckos come from humid places, so they need humidity of about 60 to 80 percent. Mist the tank lightly once or twice a day with clean water from a spray bottle that has never held chemicals. Good humidity helps your gecko shed its skin in one piece. If bits of old skin stay stuck on the toes or tail, a gentle misting can help loosen them.

Feeding and Water

Don’t worry if a new gecko refuses food for its first day or two. Moving is stressful, and it may need time to settle in.

House geckos eat live insects. Good choices include small crickets, roaches, fruit flies for babies, and occasional waxworms or mealworms as treats. Insects should be no bigger than the space between the gecko’s eyes. Dust them with a calcium supplement and feed them nutritious food before offering them to your gecko.

Feed adults every other day and young geckos daily, removing any uneaten insects. Many geckos drink droplets from misting, but a shallow water dish is a good backup.

Handling

House geckos are fast, fragile and easily stressed, so they are best as pets to watch rather than hold. If a gecko feels grabbed, it may drop its tail to escape. The tail grows back, but the new one looks different and losing it uses up energy.

If you need to move your gecko, for example while cleaning, gently guide it into a cup. Wash your hands before and after. Reptiles can carry Salmonella bacteria, so always wash with soap and water after touching a gecko or anything in its tank, and keep young children from handling reptiles.

House gecko FAQs