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Spotted Geckos That Live in Tree Trunks

The Gekkonidae family of reptiles consists of more than 800 species of geckos. Most geckos live in hot, arid locations or tropical regions, but a few have adapted to cool mountain environments. Geckos lay eggs to reproduce, can shed their still-wiggling tails to escape from predators and most have transparent eyelids. Many gecko species have spots, and many species live in trees, but a limited number of species are both spotted and tree dwelling.

Ornate Day Gecko (Phelsuma ornata)
- Many gecko species are small enough to fit inside flowers.
  
  Native to Mauritius, an African island in the Indian Ocean, the Mauritian ornate day gecko is adapted to tropical conditions. It is a tiny reptile, only a few centimeters in length, an excellent climber due to the sticky suction-cups on its hands and feet, and an omnivore whose diet consists of insects and plant nectar. The ornate day gecko lives on the external parts of tree trunks, branches and leaves. It boasts bright orange or red spots that contrast with its brilliant yellow, green and blue body.
Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko)
- Tokay geckos have the remnant of a third eye on their heads.
  
  Tokay geckos originate from India, Southeast Asia and Australia where they live in trees or in rocky cliffs. Tokays get their name from the sound of their mating call -- "to-kay." The tokay's foot-long, gray and red-spotted body can darken or lighten in color to camouflage itself as it moves over cliffs and through trees. Tokay geckos hunt insects during the night using their excellent hearing and sense of smell. The tokay has nostrils as well as a Jacobson's organ, which allows it to pick up airborne smells by flickering its tongue.
Madagascar Day Gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)
- There are more than 50 species of wild geckos in Madagascar.
  
  The Madagascar day gecko's green or blue body reaches about a foot in length at maturity. It has red or brownish spots on the top of its head, mid-back and tail. Native to Madagascar, but now naturalized in Florida, Madagascar day geckos are found in tropical forests and grasslands where they live in trees and consume spiders, fruits, nectar and insects. Active during the day, they use sticky hair-like bristles on their feet to secure themselves against sun-soaked tree trunks and branches.
Spotted Thick-Toed Gecko (Pachydactylus maculatus)
- Many geckos are helpful to people because they eat insect pests.
  
  The spotted thick-toed gecko is native to South Africa where it inhabits standing dead trees and rotting logs. It has a gray to drab green-colored body with dark spots along its sides and down its back, and measures about 10 cm in length at maturity. Active at night, it eats nocturnal spiders and insects.
Cuban Ashy Gecko (Sphaerodactylus e. elegans)
- The adult Cuban ashy gecko can reach about 7 cm in length and has dark grayish skin that is speckled with small pale spots. Immature Cuban ashy geckos look very different from their parents; they are green with dark reddish bands across their backs. Wild populations of ashy gecko live in Cuba and the Florida Keys. They live primarily in trees, and they frequent the loose bark of old pine trees.

Animals & Science