17 Types Of Geckos: Our Favorite Pet Species!

With over 1,800 gecko species in the world, deciding which one to keep can feel overwhelming. I’ve been breeding and keeping geckos for over a decade, and the honest answer is that most people end up with the wrong species because they chose based on looks alone — without considering temperament, care difficulty, or whether the gecko will actually interact with them.

This list covers 17 of the best pet gecko species, grouped by difficulty level so you can find the right match for your experience and lifestyle. Every species here has something genuine to offer — but some are far better suited to beginners than others. If you’re trying to decide between a gecko and another reptile entirely, our best pet lizards guide gives useful context on where geckos sit in the broader picture.

Quick Comparison: 17 Pet Gecko Species at a Glance

Species	Size	Lifespan	Difficulty	Handleable?	Active
Leopard Gecko	8–10 in	15–20 yrs	⭐ Beginner	✅ Yes	Night
Crested Gecko	8–10 in	15–20 yrs	⭐ Beginner	✅ Yes	Night
African Fat-Tailed Gecko	7–9 in	15–20 yrs	⭐ Beginner	✅ Yes	Night
Gargoyle Gecko	8–10 in	15–20 yrs	⭐ Beginner	✅ Yes	Night
Gold Dust Day Gecko	4–6 in	10–15 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	⚠️ Display only	Day
Mediterranean House Gecko	4–5 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	⚠️ Skittish	Night
Chahoua Gecko	8–10 in	15–20 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅ With training	Night
Chinese Cave Gecko	6–8 in	10–15 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅ With training	Night
Frog-Eyed Gecko	6–8 in	10–15 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅ Moderate	Night
Mourning Gecko	3–4 in	10+ yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌ Too small/fast	Night
Giant Day Gecko	10–12 in	10–15 yrs	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌ Display only	Day
Leachianus Gecko	14–17 in	20+ yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	⚠️ Bonded pairs only	Night
Tokay Gecko	10–14 in	10–15 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	⚠️ Experienced only	Night
Golden Gecko	7–8 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	❌ Display only	Night
Yellow-Headed Day Gecko	3–4 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	❌ Display only	Day
Flying Gecko	7–8 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	❌ Display only	Night
Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko	4–6 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	❌ Display only	Night
White-Lined Gecko	5–7 in	5–10 yrs	⭐⭐⭐ Advanced	❌ Display only	Night

Beginner-Friendly Gecko Species

These four species are the best starting point for anyone new to gecko keeping. They’re forgiving of minor husbandry mistakes, widely captive-bred, handleable, and have straightforward care requirements.

1. Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

The leopard gecko is the most popular pet gecko in the world — and for good reason. In my experience breeding them for years, they’re the most consistently handleable, forgiving gecko you can keep. They tolerate minor temperature fluctuations, accept a variety of feeder insects, and once settled, will actively come to the front of their enclosure when they see you.

Unlike most geckos, leopard geckos have moveable eyelids — giving them an expressive, almost mammalian face. They also lack the adhesive toe pads of other gecko species, so they stay on the ground rather than climbing the walls of their enclosure. They’re terrestrial, which means a wide, low-profile tank works better than a tall vivarium.

Leopard geckos come in an extraordinary range of morphs — from the classic yellow-with-black-spots wild type to albinos, blizzards, tangerines, and designer combinations. Leopard geckos are nocturnal, so they’re most active in the evening and at night — perfect for keepers who work during the day. Lifespan with proper care is 15–20 years, making this a long-term commitment worth planning for.

• Size: 8–10 inches
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Enclosure: 20-gallon minimum, terrestrial, 88–92°F warm side / 75°F cool side
• UVB: Ferguson Zone 1–2 — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6% or Zoo Med 5.0 T5 HO. Ferguson Zone classifications are based on published field research by Ferguson et al. See our guide on whether leopard geckos need UVB.
• Diet: Crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches — dusted with calcium and D3
• Handling: Excellent — one of the most handleable gecko species available

2. Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus)

The crested gecko is the other titan of the beginner gecko world, and it’s earned every bit of its popularity. Thought to be extinct until rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994, it’s now one of the most widely kept reptiles in the hobby. The combination of gentle temperament, striking appearance, and ease of care is hard to beat.

The most defining feature is the crest — a fringe of soft spikes running from above the eyes down to the base of the tail. Crested geckos come in a huge variety of morphs including dalmatian, harlequin, pinstripe, and flame patterns. One important note: crested geckos cannot regrow their tail once dropped, so handle them calmly and avoid startling them. They’re also heat-sensitive — they struggle above 80°F, so a cool room is an asset rather than a problem with this species.

Wondering how the crested gecko stacks up against its New Caledonian cousin? Our crested gecko vs gargoyle gecko comparison breaks down every key difference to help you choose between them.

• Size: 8–10 inches
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Enclosure: 20-gallon tall minimum, 72–78°F ambient — they struggle above 80°F
• UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6%
• Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder (Repashy/Pangea) + crickets/dubia
• Handling: Good — calm but quick; allow to walk hand to hand rather than gripping

3. African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus)

The African fat-tailed gecko is the leopard gecko’s closest rival for the title of “most handleable gecko.” Native to the arid savannahs of West Africa, they share a similar build and terrestrial lifestyle with leopard geckos but have a distinctly calmer, more laid-back temperament. Many keepers find them even more docile once settled.

The signature fat tail stores energy reserves — similar to a leopard gecko’s tail function. Unlike leopard geckos, African fat-tailed geckos come from slightly more humid environments, so they need a moist hide in their enclosure to support healthy shedding. They’re available in a growing range of morphs including albinos, zeroes, and whiteouts, though the morph market isn’t as developed as for leopard geckos. Males must be housed separately — they’re territorial and will fight.

• Size: 7–9 inches
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Enclosure: 20-gallon minimum, terrestrial; needs moist hide — 50–70% humidity
• UVB: Ferguson Zone 1–2 — same setup as leopard gecko
• Diet: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms — dusted with calcium and D3
• Handling: Excellent — arguably the calmest gecko on this list

4. Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus)

The gargoyle gecko is named for the bony bumps and ridges on its head that give it a sculptural, slightly menacing appearance — though the temperament is anything but. This New Caledonian species is one of the most handleable arboreal geckos available, and it’s considerably more robust than the crested gecko, making it slightly more forgiving for beginners.

Gargoyle geckos can be grey, brown, white, red, or orange in various banded, reticulated, and striped patterns. Like crested geckos, they can be fed on Repashy or Pangea meal replacement powder. Unlike crested geckos, gargoyle geckos can regrow their tail after dropping it — a useful resilience in a gecko that’s handled regularly. The one caution: gargoyle geckos are territorial with each other, particularly males.

• Size: 8–10 inches
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Enclosure: 20-gallon tall minimum; 72–78°F — same temperature range as crested gecko
• UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6%
• Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder + live insects
• Handling: Very good — one of the best arboreal geckos for regular handling

Intermediate Gecko Species

These species are excellent choices for keepers with some reptile experience. They have slightly more specific care needs, more challenging temperaments, or are primarily display animals rather than handling pets.

5. Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda)

The gold dust day gecko is one of the most visually striking species you can keep — vivid emerald green with red head markings and a dusting of gold-yellow flecks on the neck and shoulders that genuinely glitter in light. It’s a Madagascan species that’s active during the day, making it one of the few geckos you’ll actually see doing things in their enclosure while you’re awake.

Gold dust day geckos are not handling pets — their skin is delicate and they’re fast, skittish, and stressed by restraint. They’re a display species, best appreciated through the glass of a well-planted bioactive vivarium. Males are aggressively territorial and will fight to the death — never house two males together. Diet includes insects plus a commercial day gecko nectar or soft fruit preparation.

• Size: 4–6 inches
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Enclosure: Tall planted vivarium; 82–86°F basking / 75°F ambient; 60–70% humidity
• UVB: Required — Ferguson Zone 2; Arcadia 6% T5 HO
• Diet: Small insects + day gecko nectar/fruit preparation
• Handling: Not recommended — display species only

6. Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

The Mediterranean house gecko is the species you’re most likely to have seen in the wild if you live in the southern US — they’re the small, pale geckos hunting moths around porch lights at night. In captivity they’re interesting, active, and make a low-maintenance display species. They’re also one of the more affordable geckos to set up for, and one of the 15 gecko species now established in Florida’s wild gecko population.

They’re not handleable in any meaningful sense — they’re fast, skittish, and too small for comfortable interaction — but they’re genuinely engaging to watch in a naturalistic vivarium. The large, lidless eyes give them an expressive look, and they’re active enough at dusk and dawn to be entertaining display animals. If you want to know whether geckos bite, Mediterranean house geckos are technically capable but too small to cause any concern.

• Size: 4–5 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Enclosure: 10-gallon minimum; 80–85°F warm side; needs climbing surfaces and hides
• UVB: Low-level beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller or similar
• Diet: Small crickets, small mealworms, waxworms as treats
• Handling: Not practical — too small and fast; display species

7. Chahoua Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua)

The chahoua gecko is a master of camouflage. In the wild it spends most of its time pressed against dry tree bark in New Caledonia, and its mottled brown, grey, and green colouring blends so completely with bark that it virtually disappears. It’s one of the more visually impressive geckos when you find it hidden in plain sight in a naturalistic vivarium.

Chahoua geckos are more handleable than most intermediate species — with patient, calm interaction from a young age, many individuals become quite relaxed with their keeper. They have a prehensile tail that helps them grip branches — a trait not shared by crested or gargoyle geckos. Like other New Caledonian species, they can be fed on Repashy or Pangea meal replacement alongside live insects. They’re more expensive than crested or gargoyle geckos, which is why they remain relatively uncommon despite their excellent pet qualities.

• Size: 8–10 inches
• Lifespan: 15–20 years
• Enclosure: Tall planted vivarium; 72–78°F; 60–80% humidity
• UVB: Low-level beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6%
• Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder + live insects
• Handling: Good with patient taming — becomes calmer with age

8. Chinese Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus luii)

The Chinese cave gecko looks like something from a fantasy world: a predominantly dark purple-brown body banded with bright yellow-white rings, finished with vivid red eyes. It’s native to the caves of Hainan Island in southern China, and its stunning colouring has made it highly sought-after in the reptile hobby despite being rarely available.

Despite looking dramatic, the Chinese cave gecko is shy and non-aggressive. They’re initially skittish but become calmer with gentle, consistent handling over time. Their cave origin means they need cooler temperatures than most geckos — 70–75°F is ideal, making them easier to keep without supplemental heating in many homes. High humidity and plenty of hiding spots are essential to make them feel secure.

• Size: 6–8 inches
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Enclosure: Terrestrial with deep hides; 70–75°F; 70–80% humidity
• UVB: Low-level — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6%
• Diet: Crickets, dubia roaches, small mealworms — dusted with calcium and D3
• Handling: Becomes calmer with patient taming — avoid force handling

9. Frog-Eyed Gecko (Teratoscincus scincus)

The frog-eyed gecko’s common name says it all — enormous, protruding eyes dominate a rounded head in a way that doesn’t look like a typical gecko at all. They’re native to the dry steppes and deserts of Central Asia and the Middle East, and their desert adaptation makes them one of the more interesting species for keepers who want something genuinely different.

Most frog-eyed geckos in the trade are wild-caught, which is worth knowing — wild-caught reptiles typically carry a heavier parasite load and are more stressed in captivity than captive-bred specimens. If you can source a captive-bred frog-eyed gecko, do so. Their care is straightforward: a dry desert setup, moderate temperatures, and a diet of live insects. They can tolerate moderate handling once settled but aren’t as reliably tame as the beginner species.

• Size: 6–8 inches
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Enclosure: Desert setup; 88–95°F basking / 75°F cool side; low humidity
• UVB: Recommended — Ferguson Zone 2
• Diet: Crickets, mealworms, superworms — wide insect variety accepted
• Handling: Moderate — calmer than display-only species but not as tame as beginners

10. Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris)

The mourning gecko is one of the most fascinating species on this list for one reason: every individual is female. They reproduce entirely by parthenogenesis — no males exist in the species. A single animal introduced to a new area can establish an entire population. In captivity they’re kept in small colonies and are a popular choice for bioactive vivariums.

At 3–4 inches they’re tiny, fast, and impractical to handle — this is strictly a display species. But in a well-planted vivarium with a group of three or four, they’re endlessly active and entertaining. Their cryptic brown and tan patterning shifts between lighter and darker shades depending on temperature and mood. Diet is varied: insects, nectar, soft fruit, and pollen.

• Size: 3–4 inches
• Lifespan: 10+ years
• Enclosure: Small planted vivarium; 75–82°F; 70–80% humidity
• UVB: Low-level beneficial
• Diet: Small insects, nectar, pollen, soft fruit
• Handling: Not practical — too small and fast; colony display species

11. Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis)

The giant day gecko is the flagship of the Phelsuma genus — vivid emerald green with red dorsal markings, active during the day, and large enough at 10–12 inches to be genuinely impressive in a well-planted enclosure. It’s the day gecko that most people picture when they imagine a Madagascan day gecko, and it lives up to expectations visually.

Like all day geckos, the giant day gecko is a display species — not a handling pet. Its skin can slough off under stress, which can cause genuine injuries. These geckos are best kept in large planted vivariums where they can be observed actively hunting, climbing, and displaying throughout the day — a genuinely entertaining setup when done well.

• Size: 10–12 inches
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Enclosure: Large planted vivarium 24x24x48″ minimum; 85–88°F basking; 70% humidity
• UVB: Required — Ferguson Zone 3; Arcadia 6% T5 HO
• Diet: Insects + day gecko nectar/fruit preparation
• Handling: Not recommended — skin sloughing defence mechanism

Advanced Gecko Species

These species are for experienced keepers. They have challenging temperaments, highly specific care requirements, or are primarily display animals that require significant investment to house properly. They reward expertise with extraordinary visuals and behaviours.

12. Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus)

The leachianus gecko — also called the New Caledonian giant gecko — is the largest living gecko species in the world. Adults reach 14–17 inches and have a distinctly stocky, heavy-bodied build. They’re impressive animals, and their deep, croaking vocalisations are unlike anything else in the gecko world. The “leachy” has become one of the most coveted species in the hobby, and prices reflect this. It is listed on the IUCN Red List as a species of concern due to habitat loss in New Caledonia

Leachianus geckos can be handleable, but they’re selective about it — they don’t tolerate being restrained, and forced handling typically results in biting. Established, hand-tamed individuals will often sit calmly on their keeper’s hand or shoulder. They’re classified as advanced primarily because of cost (juveniles start at several hundred dollars), enclosure requirements, and the fact that they live 20+ years — a serious, decade-plus commitment. For a full breakdown of what keeping one involves, see the leachianus gecko care guide.

• Size: 14–17 inches
• Lifespan: 20+ years
• Enclosure: Large custom or PVC enclosure; 72–78°F; 70–80% humidity
• UVB: Low-level beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6%
• Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder + large insects, occasional pinky mice
• Handling: Possible with patient taming — never restrain; let them move freely

13. Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)

The tokay gecko is one of the most beautiful reptiles in the world — a blue-grey body covered in vivid orange and red spots, growing to 10–14 inches with the muscular build of a gecko that genuinely means business. It’s also one of the most aggressive and challenging gecko species commonly available. These are not beginner geckos.

Wild-caught tokays — which are still common in the trade — are defensive, unpredictable, and will bite repeatedly without hesitation. Captive-bred tokays raised with gentle, consistent handling from hatchling stage can become significantly calmer, but even tame individuals retain a territorial streak. A tokay bite from an adult can draw blood and hold on with considerable force. All that said, tokay geckos are extraordinary display animals — their vocalisations (the distinctive “to-KAY” call), activity level, and visual impact make them genuinely compelling to experienced keepers.

• Size: 10–14 inches
• Lifespan: 10–15 years
• Enclosure: Large arboreal setup; 80–88°F basking; 70–80% humidity
• UVB: Recommended — Ferguson Zone 2–3
• Diet: Crickets, dubia roaches, superworms, occasional pinky mice
• Handling: Experienced keepers only — captive-bred individuals more manageable

14. Golden Gecko (Gekko badenii)

The golden gecko is a striking nocturnal species from Vietnam, closely related to the tokay. Males are a warm, uniform golden-yellow — a colouring that’s genuinely unusual in the gecko world. Females are more subdued, typically olive-green or brown. They’re beautiful animals, but they share the tokay’s general wariness of handling, with the added complication that their skin is noticeably fragile and prone to tearing under stress.

Golden geckos are primarily display animals. With extremely patient, slow taming over many months, some individuals become tolerant of brief handling — but forced handling risks skin damage and significant stress. They’re best kept in naturalistic planted vivariums where their colouring can be properly appreciated.

• Size: 7–8 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Enclosure: Arboreal planted setup; 78–85°F; 60–80% humidity
• UVB: Beneficial — low-level
• Diet: Crickets, dubia roaches, fruit and nectar supplement
• Handling: Not recommended — fragile skin, stress-prone

15. Yellow-Headed Day Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis)

The yellow-headed day gecko is one of the smallest species on this list at 3–4 inches, but males are extraordinary looking: a vivid yellow-orange head on a near-black body, with turquoise accents on the lower back and tail in some populations. Females are far more subdued in grey-brown. It’s a species where you genuinely keep a pair for the visual contrast between the sexes — and one you’ll spot if you visit south Florida, where it has established wild populations alongside the 14 other gecko species now living there.

They’re classified as advanced because they’re fragile, extremely fast, highly stressed by handling, and require a carefully controlled environment to thrive. They lack adhesive toe pads and use clawed toes to grip rough surfaces. Diurnal, which makes them engaging to watch, but strictly display-only.

• Size: 3–4 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Enclosure: Small planted vivarium; 80–85°F; 60–70% humidity
• UVB: Recommended — Ferguson Zone 2
• Diet: Very small crickets, fruit flies, small mealworms
• Handling: Not suitable — too small, fragile, and fast

16. Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli)

The flying gecko doesn’t actually fly — but it glides, using flaps of skin along its sides, webbed feet, and a flattened tail to sail from tree to tree in the jungles of Southeast Asia. In a vivarium it’s a remarkable display species: brown and mottled to blend perfectly with bark, essentially invisible when motionless, then suddenly launching across the enclosure when startled.

Flying geckos are strictly display animals — their skin is very fragile, they’re fast and skittish, and handling causes significant stress. Most specimens in the trade are wild-caught, which presents the usual parasite and stress concerns. For keepers focused on naturalistic displays, they create extraordinary vivariums.

• Size: 7–8 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Enclosure: Tall planted vivarium; 80–86°F; 70–80% humidity
• UVB: Beneficial — low-level
• Diet: Crickets, small roaches, moths
• Handling: Not recommended — fragile skin, extreme stress response

17. Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus)

The satanic leaf-tailed gecko is the most extraordinary-looking gecko on this list and arguably one of the most impressive camouflage specialists in the entire animal kingdom. Its flattened, notched tail is visually indistinguishable from a dead leaf — veins, edges, and even simulated decay markings are present. The body follows suit, mimicking leaf textures and colours so convincingly that finding one in a vivarium is genuinely difficult.

They’re advanced keepers-only for several reasons: most are wild-caught, the species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, making captive-bred specimens strongly preferable. They require specific cool temperatures (68–74°F — they struggle above 80°F), they’re fragile and stress-prone, and they’re display-only with zero handling tolerance. For dedicated keepers who want the most visually extraordinary gecko possible, there’s nothing like them.

• Size: 4–6 inches
• Lifespan: 5–10 years
• Enclosure: Cool, humid planted vivarium; 68–74°F — critical not to exceed 80°F; 80%+ humidity
• UVB: Very low-level — Arcadia ShadeDweller or equivalent
• Diet: Small crickets, moths, small roaches — needs live moving prey
• Handling: Not suitable — display-only species; very fragile

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Gecko Is Right For You?

If you want a gecko you can handle and interact with: start with a leopard gecko or crested gecko. Both are beginner-proof, widely available, and genuinely rewarding long-term pets.

If you want a display gecko you can watch during the day: the gold dust day gecko or giant day gecko are the best options — active, vivid, and endlessly interesting in a planted vivarium.

If you’re an experienced keeper looking for something extraordinary: the leachianus gecko, tokay gecko, or satanic leaf-tailed gecko will challenge and reward you in equal measure.

Want to understand how geckos differ from other lizards before committing? Our lizard vs gecko guide covers the key distinctions. And if you’re comparing a gecko against a bearded dragon, the bearded dragon vs leopard gecko comparison breaks down the differences in commitment, care, and interaction.