4 Different Types of Geckos That Make Great Pets

There are about 1500 different ReptileDirect.com species of geckos, which are lizards in the suborder Gekkota. They are fascinating reptiles that are able to climb smooth surfaces like glass and even walk on ceilings due to the adhesive pads on their toes.

Out of all the species of geckos found around the world, several species are bred in captivity. The following is a description of the four different types of geckos commonly available for people who want to keep them as pets.

Leopard Gecko
Crested Gecko
Day Gecko
Electric Blue Gecko

1. The Leopard Gecko
   The leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, is the most common gecko kept as a pet. Native to the deserts of Pakistan and Northwest India, it is very hardy and easy to care for. Leopard geckos differ from the majority of geckos in that they are ground dwelling and do not climb. They are nocturnal, spending the hot days hidden under rocks or in holes in the ground. When kept in a terrarium, they appreciate hiding places.

Through selective breeding, a huge variety of colour morphs is now available. These include albinos, lizards with patterns that are different from the wild type bands (known as jungle), lizards that have a large amount of orange pigment, ones with one long band running from the head to the tail, and many others. The absolute leader in the field of breeding morphs is Ron Tremper, who was the first to develop many of the different colour variations and still breeds amazing geckos today.

2. The Crested Gecko
   These remarkable geckos are only found in the forests of New Caledonia. They were once thought extinct and were only discovered again in 1994. Now, through a program of captive breeding in the United States and Europe, they are one of the most popular reptile pets, and they are very easy to find by hobbyists looking to keep them.

The common name of Rhacodactylus ciliates derives from the hair-like skin projections above each eye, running from the eyes to the tail. This has also given it the name ‘eyelash gecko.’ These lizards are nocturnal and arboreal. Their adhesive toes end in little claws which help them to cling to surfaces. The tail is also semi-prehensile and ends in an adhesive pad.

These are fairly hardy geckos that are easy to keep and tolerate being handled by their owners. As well as insects, they feed on fruit and can be maintained on a commercial diet, Repashy, sold as a powder. They require a tall vivarium with many branches to climb and, preferably, live plants.

3. The Day Gecko
   Phelsuma day geckos are endemic to Madagascar and surrounding islands. They are very brightly coloured, often green with red markings, although the neon day gecko has a yellow head and two neon blue lines running down its side. Blue markings are also present on other species, such as the amusing blue eyeshadow that the gold dust gecko uses.

Unlike the majority of species, Phelsuma geckos are diurnal, active during the day. They love sunning themselves on a branch and need strong UV light to allow them to absorb calcium and bring out their best colours. They are more sensitive to errors in their husbandry than the previous species. However, with careful research and setup, they can do very well in the terrarium and are fairly easy to breed.

4. The Electric Blue Gecko
   Lygodactylus williamsi geckos definitely deserve their common name of electric blue gecko, although it is only the males who sport the brilliant blue colour; females range from drab brown to green. These small lizards were discovered in the Kimboza Forest of Eastern Tanzania in the 1950s, and it appears to be the only place on earth where they can be found.