# Gecko — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*Infraorder Gekkota — ~1,500 species across six families worldwide*

> Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.

**IUCN status:** Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered)  ·  **WARN range:** Tropical and subtropical worldwide, some temperate regions

## Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Species | ~1,500 worldwide |
| Toe pads | Adhesive setae (many species) |
| Activity | Mostly nocturnal; day geckos diurnal |
| Vocalisation | Chirps and barks common |
| Pet species | Leopard, crested, tokay geckos |
| Eyelids | Absent in many; present in leopard gecko |

## Scientific classification
- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Reptilia
- **Order:** Squamata
- **Infraorder:** Gekkota

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Most common species Least Concern; island and range-restricted geckos Endangered or Critically Endangered.
- **Population:** Unknown for most; tokay gecko heavily traded
- **Trend:** Decreasing for forest specialists and over-harvested species
- **Assessed:** Varies by species
- **CITES:** Several rare species on Appendix I or II; tokay gecko Appendix II in some range states
- Invasive house geckos complicate conservation on islands with native gekkotan faunas.

## Key facts: Gecko
- Gecko toe pads stick via microscopic setae and intermolecular forces — no glue.
- Tokay and leopard geckos dominate the pet trade; verify captive-bred origin.
- House geckos Hemidactylus benefit humans by eating mosquitoes and moths.
- Day geckos Phelsuma are diurnal and brightly coloured — popular but specialist pets.
- Indonesia and Malaysia — WARN partners — harbour exceptional gekkotan diversity.
- Invasive geckos outcompete natives on islands and in new regions.

## Gecko diversity and adhesion
Gekkota splits into families including Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae and Diplodactylidae. Eyelids are absent in many species — transparent spectacle scales protect eyes. Nocturnal species have vertical pupils; day geckos have round pupils and bright green or blue colouration.

Adhesive toe pads contain millions of microscopic setae branching into spatulae. Temporary molecular attraction lets geckos run up glass and hang from ceilings. Some species regenerate lost tails; others lack this ability.

Vocal cords enable mating calls and territorial chirps — a gekkotan signature absent from most lizards.

## Ecology and household allies
Wild geckos eat insects, spiders, small invertebrates and nectar in some day geckos. Common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus follows human habitation globally — sometimes invasive, sometimes welcomed pest control.

In tropical forests, geckos occupy leaf litter, tree bark and cave walls. Giant geckos Rhacodactylus of New Caledonia are fruit-insect omnivores threatened by deforestation and chytrid-like pathogens in captivity.

Population declines affect range-restricted island species from Mauritius to the Caribbean. Habitat fragmentation removes microhabitats geckos need.

## Pet trade and conservation
Leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius from Pakistan and Afghanistan — a WARN partner region — is heavily captive-bred for pets, with eyelids unlike many geckos. Tokay gecko Gekko gecko faces poaching for traditional medicine markets in Asia despite questionable efficacy.

CITES lists several rare species on Appendix I or II. Smuggling of New Caledonian and Madagascan species supplies collectors.

Captive care requires temperature gradients, calcium supplementation and appropriate humidity — species-specific, not one-size-fits-all.

## Geckos and people
Southeast Asian folklore treats house geckos as omens; their calls punctuate tropical nights. In Pakistan and India, geckos share walls with humans harmlessly, consuming insects attracted to lights.

Never release pet geckos outdoors — invasive house geckos disrupt native lizard communities in Florida, Hawaii and elsewhere.

Readers can welcome wild geckos as allies, reject medicine products using tokay parts and support forest protection in Indonesia and Malaysia where gekkotan diversity peaks.

## Related WARN guides
Geckos are diverse squamates — read WARN's chameleon guide for other specialised lizards, monitor lizard page for larger varanids, and snake hub for shared reptile trade issues.

Iguana and komodo dragon guides cover other lizard groups.

Never release pet geckos into non-native ranges.

## What WARN does
WARN educates readers in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia — centres of gecko diversity and trade routes — about reptile stewardship, habitat protection and rejecting wildlife products without proven benefit.

If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.

## Frequently asked questions: Gecko
### How many gecko species are there?
Roughly 1,500 species in infraorder Gekkota, on every continent except Antarctica. The count grows as taxonomists describe new species.

### How do geckos stick to walls?
Microscopic hair-like setae on toe pads create van der Waals forces — molecular attraction without glue or suction cups.

### Do geckos make noise?
Yes. Many geckos chirp, bark or click — especially tokay and house geckos. Vocalisation is unusual among lizards.

### Are geckos good pets?
Leopard and crested geckos are common captive-bred pets with specific heat and diet needs. Wild-caught rare species should never be purchased.

### Why are tokay geckos traded?
Dried tokay geckos sell in some Asian traditional medicine markets despite lack of proven medical benefit, driving poaching.

### Are house geckos invasive?
Common house gecko has spread globally with human transport, sometimes outcompeting native geckos — notably in parts of the Pacific and Americas.

## Sources
- [IUCN Red List — Gekkota assessments](https://www.iucnredlist.org/)
- [Smithsonian National Zoo — gecko](https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/reptiles)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — gecko](https://www.britannica.com/animal/gecko)
- [Wikipedia — Gecko](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gecko)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gecko