Species · GBIF taxon 9537238
Hemidactylus frenatus
hemidactylus frenatusAlso known as Asian House Gecko, Pacific House Gecko, Wall Gecko, Moon Lizard
These highly adaptable nocturnal lizards are famous for their loud, distinctive chattering calls that echo through tropical and subtropical homes at night. They use specialized toe pads to effortlessly scale vertical walls and ceilings, congregating near outdoor lights to ambush moths and mosquitoes. While native to Asia and the Pacific, their hitchhiking habits have successfully established them in warm climates worldwide.
NocturnalUrban-AdaptedVocal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Moths
- Mosquitoes
- Flies
Predators
- Domestic cats
- Birds of prey
- Snakes
ThreatsPesticide use, cold temperatures in non-native ranges, and competition with other geckos
HabitatsUrban areas, suburban gardens, tropical forests, and rocky crevices
Life spanTypically 3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyGekkonidae
- GenusHemidactylus
- Specieshemidactylus frenatus
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
- Watch near lights: Look around outdoor light fixtures at night where they gather to hunt insects.
- Listen for calls: Listen for their loud, distinctive chattering or clicking sounds after dusk.
- Avoid handling: Do not try to catch them, as they easily drop their tails when stressed.
Competitor (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by portioid · cc-by
Competitor 
Close Relative (c) Shannon Foreman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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