SUMMARY
PREVALENCE: Common
ACTIVE PERIOD: Nocturnal
KEY ID FEATURES: Black and white or dark brown and grey checkered tail, broad head
BEHAVIOR: Found on walls, trees the underside of roofs and overhangs
SIZE: 15cm
IUCN: LC - Least Concerned
GALLERY
IMPORTANT: Many geckos look similar and require experience to identify. Geckos and skinks also drop their tails readily if handled which is a stressful and energy intensive issue, so great care should be taken when interacting with lizards in Hong Kong.
DESCRIPTION
The Chinese gecko is arguably the most common gecko to encounter in Hong Kong due to its frequent occurrence in populated areas. It can be found in all territories and virtually all habitats. They are of average size for Hong Kong geckos with a total length slightly longer than the other gecko species at roughly 15cm, and a snout to vent length of approximately 6-7cm. The head is wide at the jaw and distinct from the neck with a more blunt nose than Bowring’s or Garnot’s geckos. Chinese geckos head and body have cream/white and dark brown/black blotches often converging into rough bands on the anterior and transitioning to clear banding on the tail. The markings are less obvious when the animal changes to lighter coloration, which this and other species in Hong Kong are capable of doing. This banding on the tail is unique to the Chinese gecko compared to all other geckos aside from the tokay gecko, which is much larger in maturity and covered in blue/gray and orange blotches. If regenerated, however, the banding is not present. Body scales are granular with slightly enlarged tubercles on the body only obvious under close inspection. The venter is light yellow from the head to the cloaca, whilst the tail is mostly white with some faint yellow and black mottling. The underside of the limbs are semi translucent often taking on a purple or pink coloration.
The pads or “Lamellae” on the for and rear limbs are arranged in single rows on all digits with claws extending beyond the end most lamellae, also on each digit. Approximately 13 to 14 lamellae on the digits of the fore limb. 11 to 12 lamellae on the the rear limb digits. Lamellae pad count may vary slightly between individuals.
The mental shield or chin scale under the mouth is small, similar in size to adjacent labial scales. Three pairs of mental scales arranged in a single row under the mental shield and infralabial scales.
The tail is relatively thin and conical with males showing a pronounced bulge just after the cloaca.
BEHAVIOR
This species is capable of establishing populations in forested and disturbed habitat as well as in populated areas. They can often be found at night running along railings in country parks or climbing on walls and other structures in search of insects and other prey.
As with most gecko species in Hong Kong, Chinese geckos lay two eggs at a time in crevices and otherwise hard to access spots.
HABITAT
Chinese geckos are one of the most common species to encounter in Hong Kong and can be found on every island and territory.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
Chinese geckos can be confused with Bowling’s or Garnot’s geckos, both very common species to encounter. The most obvious distinguishing feature is the black and white banded tail of the Chinese gecko. In addition, both Garnot’s and Bowring’s geckos have black stripes on the side of the head that are visible when the animals in displaying their darker colors. Garnot’s geckos are also easily identified by the enlarged tubercles on either side of the tail, which are not present on either Bowling’s or Chinese geckos. On closer examination, the single row of lamellae on the Chinese gecko is unique compared to the split rows on the Garnot’s and Bowring’s geckos.