Reptile · GBIF taxon 2445034
Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanicaAlso known as Common Wall Gecko, Crocodile Gecko, European Wall Gecko
Moorish geckos are robust, spiny-skinned lizards famous for their ability to scale sheer vertical walls and glass using specialized toe pads. Active primarily after dusk, they frequently colonize human dwellings to hunt moths and beetles attracted to outdoor lights. Their skin shifts in color from dark patterned brown by day to pale translucent grey at night, providing effective camouflage across diverse backgrounds.
NocturnalClimberInsectivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Moths
- Beetles
- Spiders
Predators
- Snakes
- Owls
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsPesticide reduction of prey, domestic cat predation
HabitatsUrban walls, rocky outcrops, stone ruins, scrublands
Life span10–15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhyllodactylidae
- GenusTarentola
- SpeciesTarentola mauritanica
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Night Viewing: Look for them on sun-warmed exterior walls near outdoor lamps after sunset.
- Keep Distance: Observe without touching, as tail loss occurs easily when geckos feel threatened.
Competitor (c) Shannon Foreman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion Mariomassone / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Image unavailableClose Relative
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