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Gecko Species

Below is a list of different types of geckos. If you are looking for a guide to choose a pet gecko, check out our pet gecko guide for more.

Gecko Species

1. Chinese Cave Gecko

Chinese Cave gecko front view (Goniurosaurus hainanensis)
Chinese Cave gecko front view (Goniurosaurus hainanensis)
  • Experience level: Beginner
  • Family: Eublepharidae
  • Scientific name: Goniurosaurus hainanensis
  • Other names: Cave gecko
  • Average Size: 8 to 9 inches
  • Average Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

2. Uroplatus Sikorae

Uroplatus Sikorae Care
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Scientific Name: Uroplatus Sikorae
  • Alternate Name(s): Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko, Southern Flat-Tail Gecko
  • Size: 5 to 7 inches
  • Lifespan: 5 years

3. Leopard Gecko

High Yellow Leopard Gecko
High Yellow Leopard Gecko
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyEublepharidae / Gekkonidae
  • Scientific NameEublepharis macularius
  • Average Adult Size: 7 – 10 inches (178 -254 mm)
  • Lifespan: 22 years in captivity

4. Viper Gecko

Viper Gecko Care
Viper Gecko Care
  • Experience level: Beginner
  • Scientific name: Teratolepis fasciata
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Alternate names: Carrot-tail gecko, Turnip-tail gecko
  • Size and weight: Adult Viper geckos will rarely grow larger than 3 or 4 inches.
  • Lifespan: Around 10 years in captivity

5. Crested Gecko

crested-gecko-on-branch
Crested Gecko on branch
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyDiplodactylidae Gekkonidae
  • Scientific NameCorrelophus (Rhacodactylus) ciliatus
  • Average Adult Size: 8 inches (203 mm)
  • Lifespan: 10 – 20 years

6. Neon Day Gecko

Neon Day Gecko
Neon Day Gecko
  • Experience level: Intermediate
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Scientific name:  Phelsuma klemmeri
  • Other common names:Klemmer’s day gecko, Yellow-headed gecko, Cheerful day gecko
  • Average adult size: 2.5 – 3″ (10 cm)
  • Lifespan: up to 10 years in captivity

7. African Fat Tail Gecko

African Fat-tail gecko
African Fat-tail gecko
  • Experience level: beginner
  • Family:  Eublepharidae
  • Scientific name: Hemitheconyx caudicinctus
  • Average adult size: typically around 7-9 inches (18–23 cm), with females being slightly smaller than males
  • Average adult weight: as much as 75 grams
  • Lifespan:  15-20 years in captivity

8. Flying Gecko

Kuhl's Flying Gecko
Kuhl’s Flying Gecko
  • Experience level: Intermediate to Experienced
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Scientific name: Gekko Kuhli
  • Other Names: Kuhl’s Flying Gecko, Gliding gecko, Kuhl’s Parachute Gecko
  • Average adult size: 4-8 inches
  • Lifespan: 5-8 years

9. Sarasinorum Gecko

Sarasinorum Gecko
Sarasinorum Gecko
  • Experience level: (Beginner to Advanced)
  • Family: Diplodactylidae
  • Scientific name: Correlophus sarasinorum
  • Other Names: Sarasin’s Giant Gecko, Suras Gecko
  • Average adult size: Between 3.5 to 5.5 inches (snout to vent),
  • Lifespan: 15 years on average

10. Pictus Gecko

Panther Gecko
Panther Gecko
  • Experience level: (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Scientific name: Paroedura pictus
  • Other Names: Panther Gecko, Malagasy Fat-tailed Gecko, Ocelot Gecko, Madagascar Gecko
  • Average adult size: Males average between 5 to 6 inches. Females are smaller.
  • Lifespan: 10 years

11. Tokay Gecko

Tokay Gecko with tongue out
Tokay Gecko with tongue out
  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • FamilyGekkonidae
  • Scientific NameGekko gecko
  • Average Adult Size: 12 inches (300 mm)
  • Lifespan: 10 years

12. Giant Leaf Tailed Gecko

Giant-leaf-tailed-gecko-on-white
Giant leaf tailed gecko on white
  • Family: Gekkonidae
  • Scientific Name: Uroplatus Fimbriatus
  • Alternate Names: Fringed Leaf Tail Gecko or Leaf Tailed Gecko
  • Size: The average adult grows up to 11 inches long.
  • Lifespan: Up to 10 years

13. Chahoua Gecko

Chahoua Gecko
Chahoua Gecko
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyDiplodactylidae
  • Scientific NameMniarogekko chahoua
  • Average Adult Size: 10 inches (254 mm)
  • Lifespan: 15 -20 years

14. Leachianus Gecko

leachianus gecko sitting
leachianus gecko sitting
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyDiplodactylidae Gekkonidae
  • Scientific NameRhacodactylus leachianus
  • Other Name: New Caledonian Giant Gecko
  • Average Adult Size: 14 inches (360 mm)
  • Lifespan: 10 – 20 years

15. Gargoyle Gecko

Gargoyle-Gecko-on-wood
Gargoyle Gecko on wood
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyDiplodactylidae
  • Scientific NameRhacodactylus auriculatus
  • Average Adult Size: 7 – 9 inches (178 -229 mm) / 60 – 70 grams
  • Lifespan: 15-20 years in captivity

16. Gold Dust Day Gecko

Gold-Dust-Day-Gecko-Climbing-wall
Gold Dust Day Gecko Climbing wall
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyGekkonidae
  • Scientific NamePhelsuma laticauda
  • Average Adult Size: 4.5 – 6 Inches (178 -229 mm) / 60 – 70 grams
  • Lifespan: 10 to 12 years in captivity

17. Mourning Gecko

Mourning-gecko-close-up
Mourning gecko close up
  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • FamilyGekkonidae
  • Scientific NameLepidodactylus lugubris
  • Average Adult Size: 3.5 – 4 inches (85-100 mm)
  • Lifespan: 10-15 years in captivity