Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
- Class
- Reptile
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 26,930
- Most observed in
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas. A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 cm long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Tarentola mauritanica”.