The Common house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, originates in South Asia and North Africa, but has "colonized" most of the world, traveling aboard ships! In Rome, it is very common, with 50 or more individuals per building. I believe there are more, but then, of course, I keep a fresh reserve of earthworms for them on my balcony. However, here geckos never grow as large nor as numerous as I've seen them in places such as Thailand. During a summer vacation, years ago, I used to enjoy watching their territorial fights punctuated by their calls, which sound so much like their names repeated twice: gecko, gecko!This little guy is a Mediterranean House Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus, and like all geckos is excellent at camouflage. He had made himself look like the wall he was sitting upon so well it took me a while to actually see him.
Well done. You are very brave, I am sure they are harmless and kinda cute. I hope. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteDo they live inside or outside of your home? I have several small lizards that live on my outside terrace each year...but they are not invited inside.
ReplyDeleteYes, Joan, there are quite harmless. It's not easy to approach them, they run away too fast. They live outside the home, and in parks, by the river, and everywhere. They are nocturnal and only come inside during the night, in the summer, and eat lots of mosquitoes!
ReplyDeletebeautifully observed!
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