| Actual Image
Hemidactylus turcicus (7)
ammodytes
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 124 W: 0 N: 121]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (390) | Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Classis: Reptilia
Ordo: Squamata
Subordo: Sauria (=Lacertilia)
Familia: Gekkonidae (=Geckonidae)
Hemidactylus turcicus (in Turk. Geniş Parmaklı Keler, Türk Keleri)
Hemidactylus turcicus is a species of gecko. They are nocturnal and insectivorous, rarely exceeding six inches in length, and have large, lidless eyes and yellow- or tan-colored skin with black spots, often with stripes on the tail. Their bellies or undersides are somewhat translucent. Though technically an invasive species, due to their habits and small size they rarely threaten populations of native animals. They are the only geckos in the United States with elliptical pupils. Voracious predators on moths and small roaches, they are attracted to outside lights in search of them. They emit a distinctive, high-pitched call somewhat like a squeak or the chirp of a bird, possibly expressing a territorial message.
Geographic Distribution
The "med gecko" is one of the most successful species of geckos in the world. Originally native to southern Europe, it has spread over much of the world and established stable populations far from its origins. Due to this it holds no threatened or endangered status. It can be found in: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy (including Lampedusa island, Elba), Albania, Greece, (incl. Kalymnos, Paros, Antiparos, Despotiko, Lesbos, Chios, Limnos, Samos, Samothraki, Milos, Tinos), Malta, coastal Croatia (except western Istria), Adriatic islands, Turkey, northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Israel, northern Yemen (Socotra Archipelago), Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya, southern Iran, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, India, Balearic Islands (Island Addaya Grande), Canary Islands (introduced to Gran Canaria and Tenerife), Panama, Puerto Rico, Belize, Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Yucatan; introduced), Cuba (introduced). It has also been introduced to the southern USA (Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Arizona, Florida), Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Virginia, Maryland, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Kansas)
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