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Tom Murray | all galleries >> Reptiles >> Lizards and Crocs > Wood Slave Gecko (Common House Gecko) - Hemidactylus mabouia
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Wood Slave Gecko (Common House Gecko) - Hemidactylus mabouia
30-NOV-2007

Wood Slave Gecko (Common House Gecko) - Hemidactylus mabouia

Trinidad

Canon EOS 40D
1/200s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium original
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Theresa Bernal 21-Mar-2013 04:05
These lizards are NOT poisonous and they are so good for the eco system. Leave them alone and they will leave you alone. They eat bugs and yes they chirp and will hang on the outside of a glass window by their feet. I look forward to seeing them and hearing them. They are hatched from little eggs. I do not need a pest control person as they take care of the bug population. You have nothing to fear from them. Just enjoy watching and listening to them.
Erin 18-Mar-2013 03:39
oh my goodness. I just saw one for the very first time on my house and it freaked me out. once over the small wave of shock though it's kind of cute.
Lisa B 28-Oct-2012 02:20
I live in Austin Texas and I have these squilly little lizards IN MY HOUSE!! Found 1 or 2, may have been the same one,?? in our bathroom and closet. And again today I found 1 in the dogs water bowl, I dont know if it was in the kitchen sink or in the bowl, but when I was filling the water bowl HE was trying to get out!! Any help on how to get rid of them??!!!
Mike 30-Sep-2012 13:11
For the people that are worried about the presence of geckos and the absence of bothersome and potentially harmful insects (roaches, ants, bedbugs, spiders, etc). It is a good bet that the geckos are responsible for keeping your home free of pests. If you get rid of the geckos I am pretty sure you will notice a considerable increase in domestic insect population shortly after. Remember geckos are opportunistic feeders, they will eat just about any insect.
Jan 05-Sep-2012 01:39
I was so glad to find this site. I am in Mississippi and we have a "family" that lives under our carport. Most of them scurry away when we come home at night and the headlights hit them. A couple seem to be used to us and stay by the door to greet us. We had a new baby tonight, about an inch long. Kind of fond of them and they seem to have taken care of the mosquitos that used to try to greet us!.
Guest 01-Sep-2012 06:55
I have at least 4 adults and I think 3 babies that live on my back porch. They come out of the light fixture only at night. I've seen them catch moths. They do make a sqeeking sound. At first I thought it was a bird or mouse, but its them. Buy they r out every night. One baby did get in house but couldn't catch him, hopefully he made it back out.
Landra 16-Aug-2012 04:16
Please tell me how to get these out of my house and do they reproduce easily. I thought I saw a medium sized one before I left and tonight I caught a small one. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me how to be rid of these things. PLEASE!!
mimi 21-Jul-2012 02:36
hi,we have them in waco,tx my son has been trying to

catch one,he is four,i put water out for them last summer alot of them died it was so hot

.we love watching them too.
linda 14-Jul-2012 21:28
anyone know life expedtancy ?
Stuart 06-Jul-2012 20:08
We live in Euless, TX 5 miles from Dallas FT Worth Airport. About a year ago I noticed sand in the shed and 6 months ago there was even more so in March I shoveled it out and found these tiny white egg shells that had hatched. I'd also noticed something that looked like small lizards scurrying off when I'd first opened the shed door. So this week I found several eggs where the sand used to be. I also found one baby inside the house and he climbed up onto the underside of a trunk and I managed to move the trunk outside with him still on it. Since we are not here all the time, is it likely that the population from the shed will expand into the house, so the next time we come back we'll have eggs and lizards everywhere?
Jauna 04-Jun-2012 20:44
We live in Jacksboro, TX and found hundreds of them in our storm cellar. They are adorable and seem harmless so they can stay. TX wildlife is amazing. Our God is an awesome God!!!
Beverly 30-May-2012 10:04
These post all seem to be from Texas, but I am here to include Florida, the Panhandle, Pensacola l;to be exact. I have them all over mu front porch, Don;t mind them at all but at first it was a little unnerving to see right thru them skeleton and all. but they eat bugs so I leave them alone..
Guest 13-Apr-2012 03:52
What I cant stand about the creatures is that they drop their poop everywhere and lots of it stick on the walls!!!
John 11-Apr-2012 03:43
These are cute, harmless creatures that eat small insects. They hang out on our exterior brick walls and feed on the insects that are attracted to exterior lights. They are very fragile, so be gentle with them. If you catch them in your hand you can feel their tiny hearts racing. When I catch them inside our house I release them outside. They likely live in the exterior walls and come out at night through the weep holes in the brick. One lives in the garage behind our sprinkler controller. Their tails regenerate very quickly. My lab loves to chase them, but rarely is fast enough to catch them.
Lara 09-Apr-2012 01:29
We live in Dallas, Tx. and these lizards are usually all over the place outside on the walls. Sometimes I find them in the bathtub or shower. If you try to catch one, you need to be gentle or else his tail will break off. Although their tails, I do know, will grow back.
Morockinout 26-Sep-2011 06:41
Hi y'all.. we live in bowie, tx.. a small town north of fort worth. we recently moved here from the country.. and I just couldn't believe that I was finding LIZARDm S in my house in town.. no bugs, or spiders.. but lizards! I am appreciative for no bugs, lol but lizards....really? We caught one and broke his tail off and actually seen him back in here a couple days later.. after seeing him frequently it has been pretty anxiety g watching his little tail grow back!? Anyways.. I don't guess they're hurting anything.. and ut seems they hangout in the bathroom and not my bed so they can stay :)
ALSO an old farmer told us it was good luck to have lizards in your house... I goggled it.. and sure enough! There is old proof that some consider it lucky! ;)
monia 25-Sep-2011 07:32
don't know what the hec is in my house but it looks like this kinda I just want to know if its poisonous or not... I hope not :/
Anna 08-Sep-2011 22:32
We just moved to TX and these little gems, ranging in size from itty bitty, to about medium size love to hang out on the brick walls around our house. I noticed that they are skittish, quick, little things, but generally harmless. I have noticed that they are picky on which bugs they eat, from what I've observed. Which ones do they eat? On the upside, they tend to keep the 'crawling' bugs from coming into your home if you give them the space outside to do so. Thanks for sharing this photo as I was wondering what type they were...and keep snapping photos of them :)
Christy 03-Sep-2011 06:49
I found 2 of these today, I have a three year old daughter who was very fascinated so I decided to get an aquarium so she could keep them. One died on the way home, but the other is doing great & becoming very calm when handled. He is just a baby, barely an inch & a half. I don't know exactly how to keep him alive. I've given him ants, small insects & vegetables. I haven't seen him eat any of it but also haven't watched his every move. Am I doing things right so far? & should I keep it moist in the tank?
Hailey 02-Sep-2011 20:06
My daughter found one this morning and put it in a bowl with wet grass but when she came home from school it had left. She was so sad so we found thios web page to read about them. Thank you for your stories.
Johnathan 22-Aug-2011 07:15
I found one in my daughters room. I had to Isolate everything in the closet to get to it. Evasive little thing dropped the tip of its tail and chased me! LOL
Jutta 09-Aug-2011 04:21
I live in Saginaw TX and I keep finding these lizards in the house. Mostly in the master bathroom.We always set them free but now I am wondering if the same lizards keep coming back. Where do these lizards nest?
Fabiana 09-Aug-2011 03:14
Hi All! Can anyone tell me whether lizars eat dog ticks? I've been having a ticks infestation at home and wonder whether these nice creatures are helping me get rid of those ticks.... Thx!
Rhonda 17-Jul-2011 20:41
We have many families all around the out side of our house and we found their eggs, the once that was gonna hatch have already done it but they was some left behind :( ...it is so cool we and the grandbabies love to watch them.
mR. mARSHALL 01-Jul-2011 03:33
CAUGHT ONE JUST NOW HE STUK TOO A VIDEO GAME WRAPPERS ADHEISIVE SEAL I DONT WANT HIM TO DIE I WANA LET HIM GO BAK IN MY HOUSE AS SOON AS I FREE HIM BUT HE IS STUCK AND HAS DETACHED HIS TAIL I WONDER IF HE LOOSES A LEG IF IT WILL GROW BACK THIS IS AN EMERGENCY WHAT DO I DO
Sharri 20-Apr-2011 20:03
I live in Mckinney Texas. I have a lot of these in my yard and often find babies around the house. I never kill them as I have always known lizards of any kind eat bugs and spiders. They, to me are very cute. A few times I found some big ones on my screens. I think they are even in the front wall of my brick house. There was a small gap in the bricks on my front porch and I saw onw larger on run inside. They are harless. and good bugs catchers.
Guest 07-Nov-2010 02:55
I just found one of these little guys in my bathtub, and was puzzled, because I live in West Texas. I've seen these in East Texas, but didn't realize they would live in our dry area. Now that I know what he is, I guess I'll let him out. I wish I could give him the run of the house, since he evidently is a good bug catcher.
Teresa 24-Aug-2010 21:49
Hello! I have a family of at least five that feed on my bathroom window every morning when the lights come on. There are 4 big ones and 1 little tiny one about an inch and 1/2 long. They are soooo cute! I have been wondering what kind of lizard they are also, and found this website. Thanks
poproc 08-Aug-2010 19:33
Tom,this is most likely a Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) - An introduced species from India and the Middle East. They have spread rapidly across the Southern US since 1950 and are a common sight around homes at night. They grow a total of 5-6 inches long, appear somewhat pink in color and have translucent undersides. This species has many bumps on their back and the toes are more ballooned than the Trinidad species. Like many other geckos, they have no eyelids and use their tongue to moisten their eyes. They can be heard sometimes making a squeaking sound (barking) when the males are fighting for territory. I have read that in their native homeland they are welcome house guests and are even sold by the jar full as exterminators. They reportedly consume any flying insects that cross their paths at night and love small roaches. This makes them welcome inhabitants in most homes. The smaller juveniles can be sometimes found inside homes but as they grow bigger, they move outdoors to take advantage of the bug attracting exterior lighting. I personally love having them around.

I have two great pics, but could not upload to this site.
Guest 31-Jul-2010 06:09
Hello, It is July 30, 2010. I have spotted 3 babies in my apartment. What can we do to stop them from coming inside? Why do they only come out at night?
regenia 11-Jul-2010 05:27
Thanks for the picture, I live in east texas and started noticing these at night when I would take the dog out. Was very courious as to what type of lizard this was. Have been trying to capture one but they are so fast, took several pictures and today realized that it looked like a gecko except for the clear body, came online typed gecko and found your site. Thank you now the mystery is solved. Are these natural in this area? noticed one but now have several around my house. never see them during the day only after dark. suggestions on how to find out more.
Amanda 25-Jun-2010 19:23
I have a question like most posts. My cat found a baby common house gecko (thankfully she didn't kill the poor thing), I understand these are not harmful, but mostly helpful in the house which is wonderful! I did have a dark brown or black lizard crawl across my foot to the underside of my washing machine that same day. It looked and moved just like the common house gecko. any ideas?!? Is it harmful or helpful? I hate killing things.
beverly menges 05-Oct-2009 03:27
hello, ive been surching the web, cant find out alot about these lizards and where they have originated from,,, i do know not here in east tx. we have a few hundred in our carport and some are getting rather long. we love watching them.. but ours seem to come in two different kinds. and are more see thru than this photo. any ideas. please contact us. thanks for the pic.
wes 14-Sep-2009 01:53
i have alot of these living at the front of my house i always see them on the wall then they run up into cracks...
there really cool and i have caught a few but always let them go
Tom Murray11-Sep-2009 04:11
These geckos are totally harmless. All they do is eat pesky insects that are around the houses they like to climb on.
Chris 11-Sep-2009 02:11
Are these things poisenis
luke martin 16-Aug-2009 19:35
i found a baby that my puppy was chasing so i picked it up and my girl loves it, we are animal people so please tell me what environmet to set up for it
derek 04-Aug-2009 23:12
are these things poisenes
Guest 26-Jul-2009 03:40
Yeah, i think i have about 5 hanging around my backyard.
Jeanne 23-Jul-2009 02:28
These guys lose their tails so easily. I assume it's a defense mechanism?
eLiz 02-Jun-2009 21:22
We have these little guys living and breeding (I have found many egg shells) in our detached garage, but they come in the house all the time. I try to save them from the cat but he's faster than me and up much later. Tom, nice site, thx.