The Common House Gecko is one of the most common lizards in the world. They can be found on every continent, excluding Antarctica. They are typically a pale green or brown color, and can grow up to 8 inches long. House Geckos are known for their loud mating calls, and they feed primarily on insects.
One important aspect of caring for a common house gecko is providing the right habitat, including temperature and humidity levels. For more detailed information on how to care for a gecko, check out this helpful guide on how to care for a sarasinorum gecko.
How to Care for a Common House Gecko?
When it comes to how to care for a Common House Gecko, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. For one, they love to climb, so make sure you have plenty of places for them to scramble around. Secondly, they feed primarily on insects, so make sure you have plenty of bugs for them to munch on. And lastly, they make loud mating calls, so be prepared for a little bit of noise!
If you’re looking for tips on how to care for a common house gecko, you might find some helpful information in this guide on how to care for a Madagascar ground gecko.
What Does a Common House Gecko Look Like?
Common House Geckos are typically a light green or brown color and have stripes along their back. They also have large sticky pads on their feet that allow them to climb even the smoothest surfaces.
Their eyes are quite prominent and they usually have a bulge behind their eyes. The Common House Gecko also has a very distinctive tail that is used for storing fat and regulating body temperature. All in all, the Common House Gecko is an interesting-looking lizard!
Common House Gecko Size
Common House Geckos tend to be quite small in size, typically growing up to 8 inches long. They are slightly larger than other types of geckos, with males usually being larger than females.
How to Identify Common House Geckos?
To identify a common house gecko, look for these characteristics:
- Skin coloration: House geckos typically have a light brownish or gray color, but some species are more colorful.
- Dark mottling and spots: The backs and sides of house geckos often feature dark spots or mottles that help them blend into their environment.
- Sticky toe pads: House geckos have adhesive toe pads that allow them to easily cling to walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
- Longtails: Most house geckos have long tails that become prehensile (able to grasp) when grasped by their predators.
- Size: House geckos typically range from two to six inches in length.
- Nocturnal habits: House geckos are most active at night when they hunt for insects.
- Call: House geckos make a chirping sound to attract mates and warn off predators.
- Habitats: House geckos typically live in warm, humid places like attics or under eaves. They often hide in dark corners and crevices.
When it comes to caring for a common house gecko, it’s important to provide them with a suitable habitat and a balanced diet. For more information on how to care for reptiles, you can check out this helpful guide on how to care for a rhinoceros iguana.
How Long Does a Common House Gecko Live?
The average lifespan of a common house gecko is 3-5 years, although some can live up to 10 years in captivity. House geckos enjoy a warm and humid environment and access to plenty of food sources like insects.
Common House Gecko Lifespan
Common House Geckos typically live for 3-5 years. During the warm months, they are most active during the night and spend a lot of their time foraging for food, mating, and basking in the sun. In the winter, however, they become dormant and will often sleep through much of the cold weather in order to conserve energy.
How Does Common House Gecko Reproduce?
Male and female common house geckos will mate in the spring and summer. After mating, the female will lay her eggs in a hiding place – like a crack in the wall or under a piece of furniture. She may lay up to two dozen eggs, which will hatch about 30 days later. The baby geckos will be independent of their parents within 60 days.
Life Cycle of Common House Gecko
The life cycle of a common house gecko begins with mating season. During this time, males will become territorial and will fight for access to the female. Once a male has successfully mated with a female, she lays her eggs in the soil or debris around the home. The eggs are soft and leathery, about the size of a small pea.
As the geckos become older, they will begin to molt and shed their skin. This molting occurs several times a year and helps them to grow larger and healthier. They can reach lengths of up to 8 inches in adulthood.
Common House Gecko’s Temperament
The common house gecko is a timid creature that prefers to stay out of sight. They will usually scurry away when disturbed or startled and can even drop their tails when frightened, as a form of self-defense. In the wild, they feed mainly at night, so they are rarely seen during the day.
Can I Keep a Common House Gecko as a Pet?
Yes, common house geckos can make great pets. They are relatively easy to care for and are often quite entertaining to watch as they climb and hunt insects.
How to Feed a Common House Gecko?
Common house geckos should be fed a variety of live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and wax worms. Some also enjoy fruit flies. These should be dusted with calcium powder every few feedings to ensure proper nutrition. It’s important to avoid overfeeding as this may cause obesity or other health problems in your pet.
What Does the Common House Gecko Eat?
The common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is an omnivorous species, meaning it eats both plants and animals. In the wild, they eat a variety of insects such as moths, crickets, cockroaches, and beetles.
In captivity, they will readily feed on commercial insect-based diets as well as fruit preserves or sweetened jams and jellies.
How Often to Feed Common House Gecko?
Common house geckos should be fed every two to three days. Offer a variety of nutritious insect-based meals such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and other invertebrates. Adults may also enjoy the occasional pinky mouse or small reptile egg.
The Danger of Common House Gecko
It is important to note that common house geckos can be dangerous in some cases. They may bite if provoked or startled, and their mouth contains a large number of bacteria that can potentially cause infections in humans. It is best to observe them from a safe distance and handle them with extreme care.
Is a Common House Gecko Poisonous?
No, common house geckos are not poisonous. They do have sharp claws that can scratch if they feel threatened, but their bite is not venomous or dangerous to humans. However, it is important to note that their saliva does contain a large number of bacteria which could potentially cause infection in humans if ingested.
Can You Die From a Common House Gecko Bite?
No, it is not possible to die from a common house gecko bite. While their saliva does contain a large number of bacteria that could cause infection in humans if ingested, the risk of death is extremely low. However, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately if you are bitten by a common house gecko as infections can still occur.
Can a Common House Gecko Bite You?
Yes, a common house gecko can bite you. Although they typically try to avoid humans and aren’t known for being aggressive, if provoked or cornered, they may bite in self-defense. House geckos usually won’t leave behind more than a minor scratch from their sharp teeth.
Do Common House Gecko Bites Hurt?
No, common house gecko bites usually don’t hurt. House geckos have small mouths and sharp, needle-like teeth which they use to puncture the skin while feeding or in self-defense. The bite of a house gecko feels more like a pinprick than an actual cut or sting.
The Housing of Common House Gecko
Common house geckos typically inhabit warm, dry environments such as attics, basements, and crawl spaces. They are nocturnal creatures who hide during the day but come out at night to hunt insects and other small prey. House geckos prefer dark areas with plenty of nooks and crannies in which they can hide. They need places to rest, such as shingles and boards that they can cling onto with their suction-cup-like feet.
Heating and Lighting for Common House Gecko
In order to keep a common house gecko healthy and comfortable, it is important to provide the correct heating and lighting. A temperature of 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit should be maintained in the gecko’s environment, with a humidity level of 50-60%.
The gecko will need a basking area that is around 90 degrees, as well as a cooler area for hiding. The gecko can be provided with supplemental UVB light but should have access to a window so that it can get natural sunlight as well.
What are Common Health Problems of Common House Gecko?
Common health problems of common house geckos can include metabolic bone disease, parasites, external parasites, infection, and dehydration. Metabolic bone disease is caused by a lack of calcium or other minerals in the diet and can lead to weak bones and fractures.
Parasites such as mites, ticks, and lice can cause itching and irritation of the skin. Bacterial and fungal infections can also occur, particularly in geckos that are housed in humid conditions or kept in unsanitary cages. Dehydration can be caused by not providing enough water for drinking or bathing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, common house geckos are relatively harmless creatures that make great pets. Although they can bite if provoked or cornered, the bite is usually painless and not dangerous. It is important to take proper precautions when handling the gecko in order to avoid being bitten. Additionally, it is essential to provide adequate housing with the correct temperature, humidity, and lighting in order to keep the gecko healthy. With proper care and attention, common house geckos can be a wonderful addition to any home!