15 Types Of Geckos In Florida

Florida is one of the most gecko-rich states in the US — not because of native diversity, but because its warm, humid climate makes it the perfect landing zone for introduced species from around the world. If you’ve spotted a gecko on your wall at night, found one hiding behind your porch light, or seen a flash of vivid green in the garden, chances are you’re looking at one of the 15 species covered here.

I’ve spent years keeping and studying geckos, and Florida’s wild gecko population genuinely fascinates me. Only one species here is truly native. Every other gecko you see arrived — intentionally or accidentally — through the pet trade or cargo imports. What’s remarkable is how well they’ve adapted. The University of Florida IFAS Extension tracks all established non-native wildlife in Florida and is the best reference for up-to-date population data.

Native vs. Introduced Geckos in Florida

Of the 15 gecko species regularly found in Florida, only one — the reef gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus) — is native. Every other species on this list is introduced, arriving from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, or Madagascar, mostly via the pet trade or accidental transport in shipping cargo.

The state’s subtropical climate — warm year-round, humid, with no hard freezes in the south — means introduced geckos that escape or are released can establish wild populations. Florida’s gecko diversity is essentially a window into the global exotic pet trade playing out in a single state.

Quick Reference: 15 Florida Gecko Species

15 Types of Geckos in Florida

1. Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus)

The reef gecko is the only gecko species truly native to Florida. It’s a small, secretive animal — usually around 2 inches long — found in southern Florida and the Keys. Males are brown with two white spots just behind the neck; females typically have spotted or striped patterns. Despite the name, you’re more likely to find them in leaf litter, under bark, and in rocky coastal areas than on actual reefs. Like many small gecko species, they can live surprisingly long lives — see our gecko lifespan guide for context on how different species compare.

Unlike most geckos on this list, the reef gecko is diurnal — active during the day. It’s one of the smallest geckos in the world and is rarely noticed because of its cryptic colouring and preference for ground-level cover. A population study by the University of Florida found reef geckos are facing pressure from introduced species competing for the same insect prey and shelter sites. Its status is documented in the IUCN Red List assessment for Sphaerodactylus notatus

• Size: ~2 inches
• Active: Daytime
• Habitat: Leaf litter, rocky coastal areas, tree bark
• Diet: Small insects, spiders, mites
• Where in FL: Southern Florida and the Keys

2. Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

The Mediterranean house gecko is one of the most commonly encountered geckos across Florida. Originally from the Mediterranean basin, it’s now well-established in urban areas statewide. You’ll most often see it at night, pressed flat against walls and windows near porch lights, hunting moths and other insects attracted to the light.

Distinguishing features include semi-transparent pinkish-white skin, large lidless eyes with vertical slit pupils, and small tubercles (bumps) on the back that give it a rough texture. The tail has distinctive banding. Mediterranean house geckos grow to 4–5 inches and are completely harmless — most Floridians share their homes with them without even realising it. They’re one of the most adaptable gecko species in the world.

• Size: 4–5 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, windows, buildings
• Diet: Small insects, moths, roaches
• Where in FL: Statewide, most common in urban areas

3. Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

The tropical house gecko is native to sub-Saharan Africa and is one of the most successful invasive reptiles in Florida. It closely resembles the Mediterranean house gecko but grows slightly larger (around 5 inches) and tends to be more aggressive in territorial encounters. It’s now one of the most abundant geckos in South Florida and is spreading northward.

One distinctive feature is the chirping call males make to communicate with other geckos — if you hear clicking or chirping sounds coming from your walls at night in Florida, this is almost certainly the source. If you’re wondering whether any of these geckos pose a risk, see our guide on whether geckos bite — tropical house geckos are harmless to humans. Like the Mediterranean house gecko, it’s nocturnal and uses light sources as hunting grounds.

• Size: ~5 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, urban structures
• Diet: Insects, smaller geckos
• Where in FL: Statewide, most common in southern counties

4. Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus)

The common house gecko — sometimes called the Asian house gecko — is native to South and Southeast Asia and is one of the most widely distributed reptiles on Earth. In Florida it’s found in more limited areas than its relatives, though established populations exist in several counties. It grows to 3–6 inches and has a pale, almost translucent whitish-grey colouration with a distinctive row of small spines along its tail.

Like other Hemidactylus species it’s territorial and will fight other geckos for prime hunting spots near light sources. The common house gecko is known for a loud, repetitive chirping call. It’s also notable for sometimes eating other small geckos — including the Mediterranean house gecko — in areas where both species overlap. Gecko bites from this species are harmless to humans but can injure smaller rivals.

• Size: 3–6 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, trees
• Diet: Insects, smaller lizards
• Where in FL: Limited areas, some southern counties

5. Flat-Tailed House Gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus)

The flat-tailed house gecko is native to Southeast Asia and gets its name from the distinctive flattened, leaf-like fringes along the sides of its body and tail. These skin flaps serve two purposes: they break up the gecko’s outline to help it blend into bark and walls, and they actually help reduce the shadow the gecko casts when pressed flat against a surface — a clever form of camouflage.

In Florida it’s found mainly in urban areas, growing to around 3 inches in length. It’s sandy-brown with darker brown patterning. As with most Hemidactylus species, it’s nocturnal and gravitates toward artificial light sources at night. It’s less commonly encountered than the Mediterranean or tropical house gecko.

• Size: ~3 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, rocky surfaces
• Diet: Small insects
• Where in FL: Urban areas, sporadic distribution

6. Indo-Pacific Gecko (Hemidactylus garnotii)

The Indo-Pacific gecko is originally from Southeast Asia and is now widespread across Florida. It grows to 4–5 inches and is recognisable by its smooth yellowish-tan back and a distinctively bright yellow-orange belly — one of the more colourful undersides among Florida’s house geckos. It has no eyelids, giving it the wide-eyed look characteristic of the Hemidactylus group.

One of the more remarkable facts about this species: Indo-Pacific geckos in Florida are entirely female. They reproduce by parthenogenesis — females produce fertile eggs without mating with males. This reproductive strategy is part of why they’ve spread so successfully; a single individual introduced to a new area can establish an entire population.

• Size: 4–5 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Trees, walls, debris piles
• Diet: Small insects
• Where in FL: Statewide

7. White-Spotted Wall Gecko (Tarentola annularis)

The white-spotted wall gecko is native to North Africa and is one of the larger urban geckos in Florida, growing up to 6 inches. It’s a stocky, rough-textured species with a grey-brown body, white underside, and distinctive white spots on the shoulders that give it its name. The scales have a distinctly raised, almost spiky appearance.

In Florida it’s mainly confined to Miami-Dade and Lee counties, where it’s thought to have arrived through cargo imports. It’s nocturnal and, like many wall geckos, prefers solid vertical surfaces — walls, stone, and concrete — over vegetation. It eats a broader diet than smaller house geckos, including larger insects and sometimes other small lizards.

• Size: Up to 6 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, urban structures
• Diet: Large and small insects, lizards
• Where in FL: Miami-Dade and Lee counties

8. Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)

The Moorish gecko — also called the common wall gecko — is native to the western Mediterranean and North Africa. It’s a robust species, growing up to 6 inches, with a flattened body, sandy-grey colouring, and prominent tubercles across the back giving it a distinctly rough, armoured appearance. It’s well-adapted to urban environments and is commonly found on walls, stone structures, and building facades.

In Florida it has established in urban areas, particularly in the southern part of the state. It’s one of the more cold-tolerant introduced geckos, which may allow it to push further north than some other species. It’s nocturnal and territorial, and like the white-spotted wall gecko it belongs to the Tarentola group which tends to be more aggressive and larger-bodied than the Hemidactylus house geckos.

• Size: Up to 6 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, stone structures, trees
• Diet: Insects, invertebrates
• Where in FL: Urban areas, mainly southern Florida

9. Ocellated Gecko (Sphaerodactylus argus)

The ocellated gecko is a small dwarf gecko originally from Jamaica and Cuba. It grows only to 2–2.5 inches in length and has brown colouring with distinctive white spots — the “ocelli” (eye-like spots) that give it its name. In Florida it’s considered rare and is mainly found in the southernmost parts of the state in scattered populations.

Like the reef gecko it’s diurnal — active during the day — and lives at ground level, hiding under leaf litter, bark, and rocks. It’s in the same genus as the reef gecko (Sphaerodactylus), and the two species are broadly similar in size and habit, making them easy to confuse. The ocellated gecko tends to have bolder white spotting and slightly more contrast in its patterning.

• Size: 2–2.5 inches
• Active: Daytime
• Habitat: Leaf litter, trees, walls
• Diet: Small insects
• Where in FL: Rare, southern Florida

10. Ashy Gecko (Sphaerodactylus elegans)

The ashy gecko is native to Cuba and Hispaniola and is now established in the Florida Keys, where it’s one of the more commonly encountered small geckos. It grows to around 3 inches — on the larger end for dwarf geckos — and has a greyish-brown body with white spotting. It’s a ground-level daytime species that moves quickly and is most often spotted in rocky areas, scrub, and around buildings in the Keys.

The ashy gecko is classified as a “dwarf gecko” but it’s near the top of that size range, making it noticeably larger than species like the ocellated gecko. Its diurnal activity pattern means it’s one of the easier Florida geckos to actually observe — look for it in sunny spots on walls and rocks in the morning.

• Size: ~3 inches
• Active: Daytime
• Habitat: Rocky areas, walls, scrub
• Diet: Small insects
• Where in FL: Florida Keys

11. Yellow-Headed Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis)

The yellow-headed gecko is one of the most visually striking species on this list. Males have a vivid yellow-orange head contrasting with a dark, almost black body — a colouring that makes them unmistakable once you know what to look for. Females are considerably plainer: grey-brown with subtle spotting. Both sexes grow to about 4 inches.

Originally from Central and South America, it’s now established in Miami and the Keys. It’s a diurnal species — one of several day-active geckos that arrived in Florida through the pet trade. The yellow-headed gecko is also kept in captivity by enthusiasts — it appears in our list of 17 best pet gecko species for those interested in keeping one. Unlike most geckos, yellow-headed geckos lack the adhesive toe pads found in Hemidactylus and Gekko species — instead they use clawed toes to grip surfaces, which is why they’re more commonly found on rough surfaces like tree bark and masonry rather than smooth glass or walls.

• Size: ~4 inches
• Active: Daytime
• Habitat: Tree bark, rock walls, bushes
• Diet: Small insects
• Where in FL: Miami and the Keys

12. Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris)

The mourning gecko is native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands and, like the Indo-Pacific gecko, reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis — all individuals are female and produce fertile eggs without males. This makes them exceptionally good colonisers. In Florida they’re established in the southern part of the state and the Keys.

Mourning geckos grow to around 4 inches and have a cryptic brown and tan patterning that varies depending on the environment they’re in — individuals can shift between lighter and darker shades. They’re nocturnal and have a more varied diet than most house geckos, supplementing insects with nectar, pollen, and soft fruit. They’re a popular species in the reptile hobby and have dedicated care requirements if kept in captivity.

• Size: ~4 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Trees, shrubs, walls
• Diet: Insects, nectar, pollen, fruit
• Where in FL: Southern Florida and Keys

13. Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda)

The gold dust day gecko is one of the most visually spectacular geckos in Florida. The body is a brilliant emerald green with red markings on the head and back, and a dusting of gold-yellow flecks on the neck and shoulders that give the species its name. It grows to 4–5 inches and is unmistakable — there’s nothing else in Florida that looks quite like it.

Originally from northern Madagascar, gold dust day geckos in Florida are thought to have arrived via Hawaii — where they’re well-established — rather than directly. They’re active during the day, favour vertical surfaces like banana plants, bamboo, and walls, and have a diet that includes both insects and plant products like nectar and soft fruit. Their vividly coloured appearance and active, bold behaviour makes them popular in the reptile hobby — see the full gold dust day gecko care guide for details.

• Size: 4–5 inches
• Active: Daytime
• Habitat: Trees, plants, walls
• Diet: Insects, fruit, nectar, pollen
• Where in FL: Southern Florida

14. Golden Gecko (Gekko badenii)

The golden gecko is native to Vietnam and arrived in Florida exclusively through the exotic pet trade — escaped or released pets that established small wild populations. Males are striking: a warm golden-yellow body, often with small darker spots, and a noticeably robust build. Females are duller, typically olive-green or brown. Adults reach around 8 inches, making them substantially larger than most other Florida geckos.

Golden geckos are nocturnal and arboreal — they live in trees, on stumps, and in dense shrubs. Their wild populations in Florida are limited and not as widespread as species like the Mediterranean house gecko. They’re closely related to the tokay gecko and share some of its defensive behaviour — golden geckos can bite when threatened, though less aggressively than tokays. They have a broader diet than smaller house geckos, including nectar, fruit, and pollen alongside insects.

• Size: ~8 inches (males); 5–6 inches (females)
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Trees, shrubs, stumps
• Diet: Insects, fruit, nectar, pollen
• Where in FL: Limited populations, southern Florida

15. Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)

The tokay gecko is the largest gecko on this list and one of the most distinctive. Adults grow up to 14 inches in length, making them hard to miss. The colouring is striking: a blue-grey to grey body densely covered in bright orange and red spots. Males tend to be more vividly coloured than females. This is a far cry from the brown or sandy colouring of most house geckos — a tokay on your wall is not something you’ll confuse with anything else.

Tokay geckos are native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands and arrived in Florida through the pet trade. They’re nocturnal and vocal — producing the loud “to-KAY, to-KAY” call that gives them their name. They’re also notoriously defensive: tokays will bite firmly when handled and can draw blood from an adult hand. Wild populations in Florida are found mainly in the southern counties, living on walls, in trees, and inside roof cavities. For everything about keeping them, the full tokay gecko care guide has all the detail.

• Size: Up to 14 inches
• Active: Nocturnal
• Habitat: Walls, trees, roof cavities
• Diet: Large insects, other lizards, small rodents
• Where in FL: Southern Florida, urban areas

Other Gecko Species Found in Florida

The 15 species above are the most commonly encountered or established gecko species in Florida. However, the state’s role as a hub for the exotic pet trade means additional species occasionally appear in the wild — usually escaped or released pets that haven’t yet established breeding populations. Species recorded but not consistently established include the Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma grandis), Standing’s day gecko (Phelsuma standingi), Zanzibar day gecko (Phelsuma dubia), Kuhl’s flying gecko (Gekko kuhli), and the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius).

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tracks introduced reptile species and updates the list periodically as new populations are confirmed. If you spot an unusual gecko in Florida that doesn’t match any of the 15 species here, it’s worth reporting to FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline.You can report sightings via the FWC’s online reporting tool

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Florida’s gecko diversity is genuinely remarkable — and entirely the product of its climate and its role as a gateway for the global exotic animal trade. From the tiny native reef gecko holding on in the Keys to the spectacular tokay prowling walls in Miami at night, there’s real variety here for anyone paying attention.

The next time you spot a gecko on a Florida wall, check the key features: size, colouring, whether it’s active at night or during the day, and where exactly in Florida you are. Those four factors will usually get you to a confident ID from this list.

If you’re interested in keeping any of these species, several make excellent pets in captivity. The tokay gecko, gold dust day gecko, mourning gecko, and golden gecko all have full care guides on our site. For beginners, the 17 best pet gecko species guide is a good place to start — and our lizard vs gecko guide covers why geckos are classified differently from other lizards.