Moorish Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
The hardiest and most widespread gecko in Southern Europe. Stocky body, prominent tubercular scales, and a majestic gaze. Exceptionally skilled at climbing.
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
25 - 30 °C
Night temperature
18 - 22 °C
Adult size
14 cm
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. It is a common summer sight on sun-warmed house walls, roof tiles, rocky outcrops, and stone fences where it basking during the day and hunts insects at night.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A robust, heavy-bodied gecko reaching up to 16 cm. The dorsal skin is covered in sharp, prominent tubercular scales. Its color can quickly shift from pale ash-gray to dark charcoal depending on temperature and stress. The eyes have vertical slit pupils and lack eyelids.
Behavior and Habits: A patient ambush hunter. It spends hours motionless near lights, waiting for insects. Territorial disputes are common and involve vocal squeaks and aggressive chasing. Possesses wide, single-plate subdigital lamellae that allow it to scale vertical glass and walls.
Morphology: Males are larger and stockier, with broader heads, wider tail bases, and prominent hemipenal bulges compared to females.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Build a vertical or horizontal dry terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm for a pair). Use rough materials like cork panels, stacked tiles, or slate slabs to simulate rocky crevices. The substrate should be dry river gravel or a soil-sand mix.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a daytime basking spot of 35–37°C using an overhead halogen lamp. Keep the cool side at 24–26°C, with a nighttime drop to 18–22°C. A low-output 5% UVB lamp is highly recommended for calcium synthesis.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain low humidity (40–55%). Mist the enclosure lightly once or twice a week at night to allow them to lick water droplets off surfaces. Provide a shallow water bowl.
Feeding and Supplementation: Highly voracious insectivores. Feed them crickets, roaches, locusts, and occasional waxworms. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 regularly, which is especially important for breeding females laying calcified eggs.
Compatibility: Strongly territorial. Males will fight aggressively, often causing tail loss or limb injuries. They should be housed individually or as a male-female pair, though solitary housing is safest.
Health and Common Diseases: Generally very hardy. Wild-caught specimens carry heavy parasite loads and do not adapt well to captivity; keep only captive-bred (CB) individuals. Insufficient humidity during shedding can cause retained skin on their toes, leading to toe necrosis.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. It is a common summer sight on sun-warmed house walls, roof tiles, rocky outcrops, and stone fences where it basking during the day and hunts insects at night.
Origin
Africa and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- Insectivore
- Tarentola mauritanica requires a well-balanced diet to maintain optimal health and vitality in captivity. Its feeding regimen should closely mimic its natural dietary habits in the wild, including proper vitamin and mineral supplementation. Providing appropriate portion sizes and maintaining a regular feeding schedule are crucial for its digestive health.
- Adult size
- 14 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 14 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 8.6 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Tarentola mauritanica has adapted to a specific lifestyle that dictates the type of habitat it requires. It relies heavily on proper environmental enrichment, climbing structures, or burrowing substrates depending on its natural adaptations. Creating a terrarium that reflects these requirements allows the animal to thrive and minimizes captivity-related stress.
- Activity cycle
- Nocturnal
- The activity pattern of Tarentola mauritanica is largely dictated by its natural rhythms and environmental cues. Knowing whether it is diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular is essential for providing appropriate lighting and heating schedules. Proper management of these cycles ensures the animal remains active, healthy, and exhibits natural foraging behaviors.
- Sociality
- Gregarious
- Tarentola mauritanica exhibits a variety of fascinating behaviors that can be observed both in the wild and in an enclosure. These behaviors range from territorial displays and communication methods to foraging strategies. Understanding these actions helps keepers provide a more enriching environment and detect any signs of stress early on.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The reproductive cycle of Tarentola mauritanica involves specific environmental triggers such as temperature and humidity changes. Successful breeding requires careful conditioning of both the male and female to ensure they are healthy. Once eggs or live young are produced, specialized care and incubation are often necessary for a high success rate.
- Handling tolerance
- Display only
- Handling Tarentola mauritanica should always be approached with care and respect for the animal's boundaries. Frequent or improper handling can lead to significant stress, defensive behaviors, or even injury to both the keeper and the pet. It is best to keep handling sessions brief and allow the animal to settle into its enclosure afterward.
- Brumation
- Required
- Brumation in Tarentola mauritanica is a natural physiological process often triggered by seasonal drops in temperature and daylight. During this period, the animal will significantly reduce its activity, appetite, and metabolic rate. Keepers must carefully monitor temperatures and hydration to ensure a safe and healthy brumation cycle.
- Molting
- Regular
- The molting process is a critical time for Tarentola mauritanica as it sheds its old skin to accommodate growth and renewal. Proper humidity levels and access to a humid hide are essential to prevent retained sheds, especially around the toes and tail. Careful observation during this period helps prevent complications and ensures a smooth shedding cycle.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
