People usually land on a gecko page for one of two reasons: they’ve found a small lizard in the house and want to know what it is, or they’re weighing up whether a gecko is the right pet.
Either way, the details matter. Geckos are tough, adaptable animals, but they have very specific needs around heat, light, hiding places and food. Get those basics wrong and a “low‑maintenance” pet can quietly fail. The notes below keep things grounded: what geckos are, what they actually do in the wild, and what that means in a home enclosure.
Quick facts (geckos in general)
- Size: Depends on species; from tiny clawless geckos around a few centimetres to very large species with body lengths over 20 cm (tail not included).1, 2
- Weight: Highly variable by species.
- Lifespan: Varies widely by species and care; many pet species can live for years with stable husbandry.
- Habitat: Found in warm regions worldwide; in Australia they occupy everything from dry country to rainforest pockets, depending on the species.1, 3
- Diet: Many are insect- and spider-eaters; some also take nectar/sap or fruit, and larger species may take small vertebrates.3, 4
- Activity: Many species are nocturnal, but not all (day geckos exist).4, 5
- Reproduction: Most lay eggs; parthenogenesis occurs in a small number of species, not “geckos” as a whole.5
- Species diversity: Around 1,500 species worldwide (and counting).1
- Conservation status: Varies by species and location.
Introduction to geckos
Geckos are lizards found in warm climates across the globe, including a rich spread of native species in Australia.1, 3 Some live among bark and rocks, others in leaf litter, and a few cling to rainforest trunks where the air stays wet and still.
Many geckos are active after dark, moving in short, precise bursts and pausing to listen and scent the air. A number of species also vocalise—clicks, chirps, and sharper calls—especially during interactions with other geckos.4, 5
Physical characteristics
Most people recognise a gecko by three things: the wide head, the large eyes, and the confident climbing. Many species have a clear protective covering over the eye rather than movable eyelids, and they keep it clean by licking it.4, 5
The famous “sticky feet” come from specialised toe pads that let many geckos cling to smooth surfaces and even travel across ceilings.6 Not every gecko has strong adhesive pads (some are more ground-dwelling), but for the wall-climbers it’s a defining tool.
Tails vary too. In many species the tail is a fat store, and it can be dropped as an escape tactic (autotomy). Some species can regrow the tail, though the replacement isn’t always a perfect copy of the original.4, 5
Habitat and distribution
Globally, geckos live in a wide range of habitats, particularly in warmer regions.1 In Australia, geckos are especially diverse, with species adapted to dry inland country, rocky ranges, coastal heath, and rainforest edges.3
Because their shelter is often very specific—cracks in rock, loose bark, deep leaf litter—local populations can be sensitive to changes in ground cover and microclimate. A “habitat” for a small gecko is often a handful of hiding places that stay the right temperature and humidity from day to night.
Feeding habits
Most geckos are hunters of small invertebrates. In the wild that can mean moths on a wall, beetles in leaf litter, or spiders tucked behind bark. Queensland Museum notes that many species are arthropod eaters, while some add sap or nectar, and larger species may take small vertebrates on occasion.3
In captivity, feeding success is tightly linked to temperature: if a gecko can’t warm up appropriately, it often won’t digest well or feed reliably. The Northern Territory Government’s general guidance for lizards also points out this temperature–feeding link, and notes that geckos and legless lizards are mostly insectivorous in the wild.7
Reproduction and life cycle
Most geckos reproduce sexually and lay eggs, often placing them in protected sites such as beneath bark or in crevices.5 A small number of species can reproduce by parthenogenesis (females producing offspring without fertilisation), but it is not accurate to describe parthenogenesis as the standard method for geckos as a group.5
Lifespan varies widely by species and conditions. Some small species live only a few years, while well-kept captive geckos of common pet species can live for a decade or more.
Behaviour and communication
Many geckos are solitary for most of their lives, coming together mainly for breeding or territorial encounters. Communication can include posture, tail movements, and scent cues, and in many species, sound. Unlike most reptiles, geckos are well known for vocal calls—soft clicks through to sharp barks—depending on the species and context.4, 5
Nocturnal species tend to move most after dusk, when insects lift and surfaces cool. Day-active geckos exist too, often associated with sunlit trunks and warmer, more stable daytime conditions.4
Keeping a pet gecko: what “easy care” really means
Some geckos can be suitable pets, but “easy” usually just means their needs are predictable. Get the enclosure stable, and most of the work becomes routine checks rather than constant adjustments.
Non-negotiables in basic husbandry
- A temperature gradient: a warm area and a cooler area so the gecko can choose what it needs. Use a reliable thermometer to monitor conditions.8
- Safe heating: avoid heat rocks; burns are common when reptiles can’t move away from a hot surface quickly enough.8, 9
- Appropriate lighting: some reptiles require UV; requirements vary by species and style of keeping. If you’re unsure, confirm the needs of your specific gecko species rather than relying on “geckos don’t need UV” as a blanket rule.7
- Hides and security: geckos do best when they can vanish into a dark, tight shelter and reappear on their own schedule.7
- Gentle handling: minimise handling, and never lift a gecko by the tail—many can drop it as an escape response.7
A note on “Collared Aracaris”
Collared aracaris are not geckos. They are birds (a type of toucan). If you’ve seen “Collared Aracari” listed as a gecko pet, treat it as a mix-up of names and double-check the scientific name of the animal being sold or discussed.
Threats and conservation
For wild geckos, the biggest pressures are often quiet ones: the loss and fragmentation of habitat, changes to fire regimes, and introduced predators in some landscapes. Cane toads, for example, can affect native predators and broader food webs through their toxin, and are recognised as an invasive species with significant environmental impacts in Australia.10
At home, conservation starts small: don’t take wild animals from the bush, don’t release pet reptiles into the environment, and keep enclosures secure. A gecko that escapes is rarely “fine outside”, and an introduced reptile can become a long-term problem in the wrong place.
Final thoughts
Geckos are old hands at living close to surfaces—bark, stone, brick, the underside of a leaf. They succeed by staying hidden, by choosing the right temperature, and by striking quickly when food comes within reach.
If you’re considering a pet gecko, pick a species whose adult size, diet and temperature needs you can meet every day of the year, not just in summer. Set up the enclosure first, let it stabilise, then bring the animal in. Most geckos reward patience with a steady, unshowy kind of presence.
References
- Western Australian Museum — Three New Gecko Species
- Australian Museum — Giant Geckos (Herpetology collection)
- Queensland Museum — Geckos (Animals of Queensland)
- National Geographic Kids — Gecko facts
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Gecko
- Britannica Kids — Gecko
- Northern Territory Government — Caring for lizards
- Agriculture Victoria — Caring for your pet reptile
- Pet Circle — Beginners guide to reptile care
- Queensland Government (Business Queensland) — Cane toad
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom