Moorish Gecko

In Europe it can be found through most of the Iberian Peninsula (except northwestern Portugal and most of northern Spain), southern France, coastal Italy, southern Slovenia, northern coastal Croatia and southwestern parts of Greece. In North Africa it ranges from northern Egypt, through northern Libya, northern and central Tunisia, and northern Algeria to most of Morocco. There is an isolated introduced population in southern Western Sahara. It can live up to in altitude.

It is mainly nocturnal or crepuscular, but may also be active during the day especially near the end of winter on sunny days. It likes to receive sunlight near its refuge. The gecko hunts insects and in the warmer months it can be found hunting nocturnal insects near light sources, street lamps, and the like. It lays two almost-spherical eggs twice a year around April and June. After four months, young of less than in length are born. The moorish gecko is slow to mature, taking 4 to 5 years in captivity. The introduction of the species may impact on native fauna, by preying on frogs and smaller lizards. The adoption of this species as a pet has led to populations becoming established in Florida and elsewhere. It is the host of Haemoproteus tarentolae, a protozoan species in the genus Haemoproteus, and Esther's gecko mite (Geckobia estherae), endemic to Malta.