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Moorish Wall Gecko - Tarentola mauritanica

First year: 1996

Extirpated year:

Established status: Species are present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.

Estimated Florida range: 2 counties Less than 10 years

Statewide trend: Unknown status

Threats to natives: May prey upon smaller lizards.

Species Account: This species is native to the Mediterranean coast and North Africa. It reaches about 16 cm (6 in) long and is a strong-jawed predaceous species. Adults are sand colored with both granular and tubercular scales, but at night they are much paler. They are active at night on the outside walls of dwellings, warehouses, and cinderblock fences in a few small areas in Dade and Lee counties, where they escaped or were released from the pet trade (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).

Habitats: Central or core urban area

County	First Year	Extirpated Year	Breeding status	Notes
DADE	1990s		Less than 10 years	Found in 2 small areas (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999)
LEE	1990s		Less than 10 years	Found in 1 area (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999)

References

Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A field guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas. 278pp.

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