Geckos are a type of reptile that make up an important variety, including more than a thousand species distributed throughout almost the entire world, except in temperate zones. Although with certain exceptions within the group, in general they are characterized by nocturnal habits, small to medium sizes, lack of eyelids and the presence of pads on their legs that allow them to adhere to and climb almost all surfaces and even walk on the roofs.
The classification of geckos has varied over time, but currently there is some consensus in recognizing seven families. In this article on our site, we want to introduce you to the types of geckos that exist, so read on and find out what they are.
Geckos of the family Carphodactylidae
This family belongs to a group endemic to Australia commonly known as " padless geckos" (padless geckos), as they lack These structures are very common in other types of geckos. Because of this, they use their curved claws to climb. They tend to be larger than the average size of species that belong to other families, in addition, they generally have a peculiar tail that lacks or has very limited autonomy, that is, they cannot voluntarily detach it like other reptiles.
The members of this family are frequently nocturnal, the type of reproduction is oviparous with the typical generation of two eggs and, although the majority is distributed in humid forests from Australia, some do it in arid regions.
Geckos without pads are classified into seven genera, let's know what they are and some examples of the 32 species that make them up:
- Genus Carphodactylus: The chameleon gecko (Carphodactylus laevis) is the only species in the genus.
- Genus Nefruro (Bob-tailed geckos): The starry knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus stellatus) is one of the best known of the 10 species that are part of these types of geckos.
- Genus Orraya: The long-necked northern leaf-tailed gecko (Orraya occultus) is the only species that is part of this genre.
- Genus Phyllurus (leaf-tailed geckos): here we find the broad-tailed gecko (Phyllurus platurus), among the nine species recognized.
- Genus S altuarius (leaf-tailed geckos): within the genus there are seven species, among which we highlight the gecko of northern tail (S altuarius cornutus).
- Genus Underwoodisaurus (fat-tailed geckos): Underwoodisaurus seorsus and Underwoodisaurus milii are the only species found in this genus.
- Genus Uvidicolus (edge fat-tailed gecko): Uvidicolus sphyrurus is the only species in this genus.
In the photograph we see the chameleon gecko.
Geckos of the family Diplodactylidae
This family includes a wide variety of gecko types, with 25 genera and more than 150 identified species. They are distributed in regions of Oceania, characterized by an ecological variety. They live in trees of tropical forests and, although they are generally in places with temperatures between 24 and 29 ºC, some species also live in colder places. Within the different groups of geckos, the only viviparous species are placed within this genus. Also, with one exception, they all have the sticky pads on their feet.
Some examples of this type of gecko are:
- Clouded Gecko (Amalosia jacovae)
- New Caledonian Mountain Gecko (Bavayia montana)
- Cape Range clawless gecko (Crenadactylus tuberculatus)
- Oriental Stone Gecko (Diplodactylus vittatus)
- Common Green Gecko (Naultinus elegans)
In the image we can see the eastern stone gecko.
Geckos of the family Eublepharidae
This family consists of six genera and a total of 44 speciesUnlike most types of geckos, they cannot climb almost all surfaces because they lack pads. In addition, another distinctive feature is the ability to move their eyelids. Generally, the females lay 2 eggs and in some species the temperature influences the sex of the offspring, thus, low and medium-low temperatures induce the formation of females, while medium-high temperatures lead to males.
These geckos are distributed throughout Asia, Africa and North America. Some examples of this family are:
- Genus Aeluroscalabotes: cat gecko (Aeluroscalabotes felinus) is the only species found in this group.
- Genus Coleonyx: Yucatan banded gecko (Coleonyx elegans) is one of the eight most prominent species of the genus
- Genus Eublepharis: one of the most representative of the genus is the common leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius). In total six species are recognized.
- Genus Goniurosaurus: Some of this group are known as ground geckos, one example being Spotted Ground Gecko (Goniurosaurus orientalis). It is made up of 25 species.
- Genus Hemitheconyx: In total there are two recognized species, the fat-tailed gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) and the fat-tailed gecko of Taylor (Hemitheconyx taylori).
- Genus Holodactylus: Made up of two species, the African clawed gecko (Holodactylus africanus) and the East African clawed gecko (Holodactylus cornii).
In the image we see the cat gecko.
Geckos of the family Gekkonidae
This group is peculiar for its forms of vocalization, especially to communicate before mating, which are heard regularly, since in many cases they are quite strong and do not seem to correspond to the small size of some species. Some species of these geckos live frequently in our homes and are excellent as biological controls of insects and spiders They also have the peculiar adhesive pads in these animals.
They are a very varied group, with more than 60 genera and more than 900 species They have a wide global distribution, but tend to develop more commonly in warmer temperatures with some rainfall. Let's meet some examples of these geckos:
- Gecko tokay (Gekko gecko)
- Yellow Gecko (Ailuronyx trachygaster)
- African Rock Gecko (African Afroedura)
- Indian Golden Gecko (Calodactylodes aureus)
- Madagascar North Land Gecko (Paroedura homalorhina)
In the photograph we see the tokay gecko.
Geckos of the family Phyllodactylidae
This type is often known as " leaf-toed geckos", among other names, and has a wide diversity, the which adds some 158 species, classified in 10 genera. Its distribution occupies both North and South America, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. They are generally small in size, with different colorations and patterns.
Let's meet some examples of this type of gecko:
- Gender Garthia: there are two recognized species, the Chilean gecko (Garthia gaudichaudii) and the Coquimbo gecko (Garthia penai).).
- Genus Tarentola: there are 30 species that make up this genus, so we highlight as an example the common wall gecko (Tarentola mauritanica).
- Genus Thecadactylus: in total we find three species, the turnip-tailed gecko (Thecadactylus rapicauda), Thecadactylus solimoensis and Thecadactylus oskrobapreinorum.
- Genus Gymnodactylus: in total there are five species that make up this genus, among which we highlight the bare-toed gecko (Gymnodactylus geckoides).
- Genus Asaccus: The mountain leaf-toed gecko (Asaccus montanus) is one of the most prominent of the genus. It is made up of 19 species.
- Genus Haemodracon: within this genus we find two recognized species, Haemodracon riebeckii and Haemodracon trachyrhinus.
- Genus Homonota: in total there are 14 species that make up this group, among which we highlight the Andean gecko (Homonota andicola).
- Genus Phyllodactylus: within this genus we find a large part of the species that make up the family, so, by way of example, we highlight the Lima leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus sentosus). They number about 65 species.
- Genus Phyllopezus: we find six species within this genus, including the Lutz's gecko (Phyllopezus lutzae).
- Genus Ptyodactylus: within this genus there are a total of twelve species, among which we highlight the Sinai fan-toed gecko (Ptyodactylus guttatus). This is the one we see in the image.
Geckos of the family Sphaerodactylidae
This is also a varied family of geckos made up of some 229 species, distributed in 12 genera, which are distributed throughout various ecosystems throughout the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. They are generally of diurnal habits and their eyelids are not mobile. They contrast markedly in behavior and form with other types of geckos, as, for example, they lack digital lamellae and their pupils are round.
Let's get to know some types of geckos located in this group below:
- Genus Pristurus: we find more than 20 species in this genus and the Saudi rock gecko (Pristurus popovi) is one of the most representative.
- Genus Aristelliger: The Caribbean striped gecko (Aristelliger barbouri) is one of eight species in this genus.
- Genus Gonatodes: there are more than 30 species here, the white-clawed gecko (Gonatodes albogularis) being one of them.
- Genus Chatogekko: we highlight the Brazilian pygmy gecko (Chatogekko amazonicus).
- Genus Euleptes: The European leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) is the only species in the genus.
- Genus Coleodactylus: there are five recognized species, among which we find Coleodactylus natalensis.
- Genus Lepidoblepharis: there are 21 species that make up the genus, highlighting the Santa Marta gecko (Lepidoblepharis sanctaemartae) as one of the known.
- Genus Pseudogontodes: in total there are seven recognized species, such as the Barbour's clawed gecko (Pseudogonatodes barbouri).
- Genus Quedenfeidtia: There are two species of the genus, Quedenfeldtia moerens and Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, both known as the Atlas day gecko.
- Genus Saurodactylus: Within this genus there are seven species, two of which are the Alborán gecko (Saurodactylus mauritanicus) and the banded-toed gecko (Saurodactylus fasciatus).
- Genus Sphaerodactylus: more than 50 species are recognized, among which we highlight the little gecko (Sphaerodactylus micropithecus).
- Genus Teratoscincus: in total there are nine recognized species, where we find Teratoscincus scincus.
In the image we see the Brazilian pygmy gecko.
Geckos of the family Pygopodidae
Members of this group are commonly known as " legless lizards" or "snake lizards", since their most characteristic feature and what clearly differentiates them from the rest of the types of geckos is that their hind limbs are very reduced, so that they are vestigial, and the front limbs have completely disappeared. Their bodies are elongated and thin, they do not have eyelids, but they do have external auditory holes, their tongues are flat, but not forked, and they are capable of making vocalizations. Despite their similar appearance to snakes, the above features differentiate them from them.
These peculiar geckos live in Oceania, specifically in Australia and New Guinea. The following are some examples of the 46 species identified:
- Striped legless lizard (Delma impar)
- Eared Worm Lizard (Aprasia aurita)
- Burton's Snake Lizard (Lialis burtonis)
- Marble-faced Delma (Delma australis)
- Common Scalyfoot (Pygopus lepidopodus)
In the image we see Burton's snake lizard.
If these animals have fascinated you and you want to continue learning, don't hesitate to visit this other article about Animals that crawl.
