Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
- Least concern
- Card rarity: Common
- Reptiles
Tarentola mauritanica, known as the common wall gecko, is a species of gecko (Gekkota) native to the western Mediterranean area of North Africa and Europe. It has been introduced to Madeira and Balearic Islands, and the Americas. A nocturnal animal with a predominantly insectivorous diet, it is commonly observed on walls in urban environments in warm coastal areas; it can be found further inland, especially in Spain where it has a tradition of cohabitation with humans as an insect hunter. A robust species, up to 15 cm long, its tubercules are enlarged and give the species a spiny armoured appearance.
Classification
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Family
- Phyllodactylidae
- Genus
- Tarentola