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Hemidactylus brooki Schwartz & Henderson, Synonym. Hemidactylus brooki var. togoensis Werner Synonym. Hemidactylus brookii Boulenger Hemidactylus brookii, commonly known as Brooke’s house gecko, is a widespread species of gecko. (Source: Wikipedia. Photo: (c) Hari, some rights reserved. Meet the Common House-Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) in our Reptiles of Ecuador book. See it in pictures, in distribution maps, and learn how to recognize it.

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Hemidactylus frenatusalso known as the Common or Asian House Gecko, is native to Southeast Asia, but is found worldwide due to human introduction. Although the species originated from countries such as India, Malaysia, and Thailand, they have now expanded to other regions such as Africa, Australia, and the Americas. The Common House Gecko is found in tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions and prefers warm, humid areas.

It is a nocturnal species that likes to hide in shelters during the day time.

They can be found in a wide range of habitats, such as rain forests, savannas, and deserts. It was originally a terrestrial tree-living species, but in more populated human areas, it occurs on buildings, especially near artificial lighting.

The species is commonly seen close to electric lights after nightfall. In more natural environments, H. They tend to dwell under large rocks, rotting logs, tree trunks, and areas with low ground coverage. They are broooki abundant in forest habitats that have complicated topographic structures.

This species thrives in human populated areas where flat walls and ceilings allow for easy hunting near the artificial lighting that attracts insects. Hemidactylus frenatus hemodactylus about mm in length, with a tendency for males to be larger than females. It is usually grey or light brown to beige in color with greenish iridescence and a white underside.

They also sometimes appear to be semi-transparent. Their scales are generally uniform anteriorally, but increase in size along the back, and large spiny scales are arranged in bands around the tail.

Their eyes are binocular and have a low convergence ratio with a high visual cell density.

Hemidactylus brookii

These modifications allow it to see during nighttime hours, when it is most active. Like most lizards, H. Another characteristic of these geckos are their enlarged claws and adhesive toe pads. This aids their ability to climb walls and ceilings.

Hemidactylus frenatus is oviparous, but unlike most reptilian species, their eggs are round and hard-shelled, which makes them more resistant to moisture and increases their chances of survival when moved around. Eggs must incubate at a minimum of 28 degrees Celcius in order for development to occur.

Three to four weeks after fertilization, females lay two eggs that partially adhere to a surface. Young ones grow fast and can become sexually mature in about six months to a year. Like many gecko species, H. Mating involves a short courship where the male repeatedly touches the female with his snout and may bite or hold her by the neck.

In tropical areas, breeding occurs throughout the year. In cooler climates, breeding is more seasonal.

This vocal species will give out its distinctive three to five-note call as it approaches a female for courtship, and again after mating. Hemidactylus frenatus is a sexually producing, oviparous species.

This means that it is an egg laying species that will hemiddactylus offspring that hatch and mature outside of the female body. To protect against predators, eggs are laid in crevices. Eggs are produced all year round in its native hemidcatylus. In colder areas, eggs are not laid in the hemicactylus.

The incubation period of H. Hatchlings measure 46 to 60 mm in length. Females typically lay two hard-shelled eggs. In some island populations, broooki or human disturbances have resulted in more eggs being laid.

Eggs, which are not attended by either parent, typically incubate within a range of 46 to 62 days, depending on geographical location. In warmer climates incubation times tend to be shorter. There is no post-hatching care. Hemidactylus frenatus has a life span of about 5 years. A closely related species, H. House Geckos are quite territorial. When confronting other members of the same species, H. It is not uncommon for them to approach and bite other geckos.

These encounters often lead to tail loss or scars. These geckos are non-venomous and harmless to humans.

Medium to large geckos may bite if distressed, however their bite is gentle and will not pierce skin. Home ranges and territories can be quite small, perhaps encompassing just one wall of a building. The House Gecko has a distinctive three to five note call that is commonly described as “chuck, chuck, chuck”. They have a loud hemldactylus that tends to be louder and more frequent than other gecko species. These calls can be heard throughout day and night.

Males use this call for a variety of situations such as emerging from daytime shelters, moving to feeding areas, after feeding, winning a fight with another male, approaching a female during courtship, and henidactylus mating. These calls are used to establish and maintain territories. Hemidactylus frenatus is a generalist predator on small invertebrates and vertebrates, with insects and spiders forming the majority of its diet.

The gecko will eat almost any insect or spider it can catch and swallow, and are also known to eat other small lizards, including juveniles of their own species.

Cole, nemidactylus Das, Like many other species of lizards, H. The detached tail will wriggle and often distract the predator, allowing the gecko to escape. Hemidactylus frenatus is a territorial and aggressive species, and a potential competitor with other gecko species. As nocturnal insectivores, they may out-compete and displace other species of lizards that occupy the same niche. Hemidactylus frenatus were found on small palm trees in a coconut plantation, and presumably benefit agriculture by consuming insect pests.

They also undoubtedly help control insects in urban environments.

India Biodiversity Portal

Geckos of various species are sometimes exploited for traditional medicine and the pet trade in some Asian countries. In urban areas and other human populated locations, H.

hfmidactylus Some people welcome the geckos as good pest controllers, while others view them as pests. This gecko has been transported to warm climate localities world-wide, as they easily hide in shipping containers and cargo and are then moved to new areas. Due to an aggressive and territorial nature, H. There are no known conservation measures for H. In some parts of the world, this species occurs in protected areas.

They are also brooi in many urban and suburban areas. There are currently no conservation efforts needed for this species because it is widespread and often abundant.

This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico. In otherwords, Europe and Asia and northern Africa. Found on all continents except maybe Antarctica and in all biogeographic provinces; or in all the major oceans Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific.

Male sperm storage also occurs, as sperm are retained in the male epididymes in mammals for a period that can, in some cases, extend over several weeks or more, but here we use the term to refer only to sperm storage by females.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: International Union for Conservation of Nature. Accessed December 14, at http: Global Invasive Species Database.

Snakes and Other Reptiles of Borneo. Ralph Curtis Publishing, Inc. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles.

Hemidactylus brookii – Wikipedia

Texas Invasive Species Institute, Accessed December 14, at file: Help us improve the site by taking our survey. To cite this page: Accessed December 31, at https: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.

ADW doesn’t cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

Geographic Range Hemidactylus frenatusalso known as the Common or Asian House Gecko, is native to Southeast Asia, but is found worldwide due to human introduction. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species”, ; Cole, ; Wilson, Habitat Regions temperate tropical terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes forest scrub forest Other Habitat Features urban suburban Range elevation sea level to m above sea level m to ft Physical Description Hemidactylus frenatus measures about mm in length, with a tendency for males to be larger than females.

Hammerson, Communication and Perception The House Gecko hemidactyous a distinctive three to five note call that is commonly described as “chuck, chuck, chuck”.

Cole, ; Das, Primary Diet carnivore eats terrestrial vertebrates insectivore eats non-insect arthropods herbivore nectarivore Animal Foods reptiles insects terrestrial non-insect arthropods Plant Foods nectar Predation Predators of H. Positive Hemidactylus frenatus were found on small palm trees in a coconut hemdactylus, and presumably benefit agriculture by consuming insect pests.

Negative In urban areas and other human populated locations, Bbrooki.