Reef Gecko

Range

Native to Cuba, the Bahamas, and extreme southern Florida and the Florida Keys.

Habitats

This ground-dwelling gecko inhabits leaf litter and other debris in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, forests, coppices, coconut groves, gardens, cave entrances, and vacant lots. It can be found around abandoned buildings and manmade debris, but rarely lives around human activity. It is commonly found under beach debris just above the high tide zone.

Identification

This tiny gecko reaches just 2-2.25 inches in total length. It is rather dull in appearance, being primarily grey with light brown speckling. It has keeled, overlapping scales, and a narrow head with a sharply pointed snout. It has very small toe pads for gripping surfaces. Its brown markings typically start out as 3 wide stripes on its head, which quickly break up into diffuse speckling over the rest of its body, past the neck. Its ventrum is pale grey and unmarked.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians