Indo-Pacific Gecko (Hemidactylus garnotii)
The Indo-Pacific Gecko has been an established species in the Florida peninsula for over a half century. It was once a very commonly encountered gekkonid in the state, and became easily established in new locations due to its parthenogenetic reproduction - which means their eggs develop embryos without fertilization. Even though the congeneric Mediterranean Gecko (H. turcicus) has been established much longer, they have had minimal impact on this gecko. In the 1990s along came the Tropical House Gecko (H. mabouia). This gecko is a much larger, more aggressive animal that fills a similar niche. They also lay more eggs and breed with vigor. Both of the former geckos have been displaced due to H. mabouia. Even more-so the smallest of the bunch, H. garnotii, which now only exists in small pockets throughout the state. Usually in older, more established neighborhoods and buildings.
Indo-Pacific Gecko (Hemidactylus garnotii)
The Indo-Pacific Gecko has been an established species in the Florida peninsula for over a half century. It was once a very commonly encountered gekkonid in the state, and became easily established in new locations due to its parthenogenetic reproduction - which means their eggs develop embryos without fertilization. Even though the congeneric Mediterranean Gecko (H. turcicus) has been established much longer, they have had minimal impact on this gecko. In the 1990s along came the Tropical House Gecko (H. mabouia). This gecko is a much larger, more aggressive animal that fills a similar niche. They also lay more eggs and breed with vigor. Both of the former geckos have been displaced due to H. mabouia. Even more-so the smallest of the bunch, H. garnotii, which now only exists in small pockets throughout the state. Usually in older, more established neighborhoods and buildings.