Moorish Gecko

Tarentola mauritanica

Their specialized toe pads use microscopic hairs called setae to exploit van der Waals forces, allowing them to walk effortlessly upside down on smooth glass.

Scientific name

Tarentola mauritanica

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Reptilia › Squamata › Phyllodactylidae › Tarentola

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

urban

Habitat

Rocky cliffs, stone ruins, scrublands, and urban walls or buildings.

Diet

Insects, spiders, moths, and other small invertebrates.

Range

Southern Europe, North Africa, Balearic Islands, Introduced populations in North America, Introduced populations in South America

Size

10-15 cm in length including the tail

Lifespan

5-8 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity

Active

nocturnal

Threats

Pesticide use reducing prey abundance, predation by domestic cats, and habitat destruction in natural rocky areas.

Safe to approach?

Harmless and beneficial insect hunter. Observe from a distance; do not try to catch them, as they may drop their tails (autotomy) under stress. If handled, they may pinch with a tiny, non-venomous bite. If bitten, simply wash the area with soap and water.

Tarentola mauritanica is a species of gecko (Gekkonidae) native to the western Mediterranean area of Northwestern Africa and Europe and widely introduced to America and Asia. It is commonly observed on walls in urban environments, mainly in warm coastal areas. However, it can be found further inland, especially in Spain. A robust species, up to 150 millimetres long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.

Photo: Diego González Dopico, CC-BY, via iNaturalist

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