Geckos are generally even-tempered, simple to take care of, and thrive as pets to responsible owners, including first-time pet keepers. Many geckos are very friendly, and nice to look at, adorned with an assortment of patterns and gorgeous colors. With that said, some species are more friendly to beginners than others, being exceptionally personable and outgoing, while others are shy, and may spend more time hiding from you than engaging.
Therefore, it’s important, especially for a beginner to adopt the right gecko species that suits their pet-related desires. Here are the top 15 types of geckos that make great beginner pets.
Best Pet Gecko Types for Reptile Lovers
1. Frog-Eyed Gecko
Bearing an obvious similarity to the Leopard Gecko, the Frog-Eyed gecko, named as such due to its slit-like, large eyes, does not have quite the vivid pattern set of its cousin and is more stocky in build. Their coloration is usually white and yellow-tan, with the latter covering the top of their head and backside, often dotted with mottled, brown spots.
This species is from central Asia, so they are adept at living in dry, hot climates. As a pet owner, it is important to allow the gecko to keep the enclosure between 84 and 93F to ensure maximum health and comfort for this animal. While patient and diligent beginners can handle these geckos as pets, they are better for more advanced owners, since they require more maintenance than some other gecko species.
Owners of the Frog-Eyed gecko quickly notice that this curious animal enjoys watching the outside world from the edge of their enclosure, a trait often loved about their personalities. However, the gecko’s curiosity does not extend to being handled. This species gets immensely stressed and could cause its tail to fall off.
The Frog-Eyed gecko grows to between 5 and 8 inches, and with an attentive owner that allows for the proper humidity and temperature environment in the enclosure, this species can live for as long as 20 years, assuming it is permitted to engage in observing the outside world and enduring very minimal handling.
2. Madagascar Ground Gecko
The uniquely patterned Madagascar Ground Gecko generally has a brick-red body with white, brown, and tan mottling, along with auburn eyes. They are known by a number of names including Panther and Ocelot. There are as many as 22 various species of the Madagascar Ground Gecko, but in terms of pet ownership, the best one is the Paroedura pictus.
This species is a great option for first-time gecko owners. They are especially unique because they don’t climb on many surfaces, sticking to a more terrestrial domain, so there is no need for a tank with high walls. They don’t grow more than five inches, which means that a 10-gallon tank provides ample space for them to live a happy life.
Being handled isn’t this gecko’s favorite activity, but they tolerate it, so long as it is not frequent, so owners who like to handle their geckos can do so occasionally. With optimal care, the Madagascar Ground Gecko can live for 6 to 10 years.
3. Yellow-Headed Day Gecko
As a member of the Day Gecko family, the Yellow-Headed Gecko is not only lovely to admire for its bright colors but makes a great pet because it is easy to care for, even for beginners seeking a gecko of vivid colorations. Their slim size makes the Yellow-Headed geckos different from many others. Their neon stripes make them distinct too. But where they really stand out is in their social behaviors. For instance, multiple females can be kept in the same space as they are not overly territorial.
While adults grow to only about 4 inches, to fully display their personality and energy range, the Yellow-Headed gecko needs the space of a large tank to live in. Much like the previous entry on this list, the Yellow-Headed gecko is from Madagascar, and if you were to visit the island nation, you are likely to see them resting on bamboo all over the place.
Their existence in their natural habitat is protected, so the only way to acquire them is to purchase those bred in captivity. These animals are best suited for patient owners new to gecko care, and who like social, bright-colored lizards. While this gecko can be shy around people, housing a family of them could be very enjoyable. With optimal care, the Yellow-Headed gecko can live for about a decade.
4. Leachie Gecko
The Leachie Gecko, also known as the Leachianus or New Caledonian Giant Gecko, is one of the largest geckos in existence, with adults able to reach the length of about a foot, though most stay at about 6 inches or less. The Leachies are more vocal than most lizards, able to growl, bark, and yip. Since they are nocturnal, most of their vocalization will take place during the nighttime hours.
Their size and personality make them a bit of a tough species to take care of as a pet. Not only do they require ample space, but they are also more expensive, and require routine husbandry to sustain them. An owner who is willing to devote the time to researching, understanding, and taking care of this species, and have one as a pet for as long as 20 years.
The one thing to keep in mind is that they should not live with other geckos as this species is particularly territorial, and it would suit no one’s interest to pair them with other animals.
5. Flying Gecko
Generally residing in Indonesian trees, the tan, brown, and black colored lizard have a mossy appearance that allows them to blend in with their natural habitat. Their name doesn’t reflect reality so much because they can’t actually fly, but they do have flat tails and webbed toes that allow them to make really long leaps across significant distances, simulating flight while flapping their tails. Of course, those living in captivity don’t usually display this “flight,” simply due to the space constraints it requires. But they do need a decently sized tank (about 50 gallons works well), that is outfitted with plants and dense branches.
Anyone choosing to be an owner of a Flying gecko should be gentle, patient, and accept that this is not a gecko that likes to be handled. They are easy to care for, but they are quite temperamental, so they are not suited for a young child, but better for an adult beginner. With good care, they can live from 5 to 8 years.
6. Giant Day Gecko
The brightly colored Giant Day Gecko hails from Madagascar as well and is very popular as a pet due to its gorgeously bright appearance. In their natural environment, these geckos can be found living in trees, where they cling to branches and tree trunks in what they identify as their ideal sun-basking spots.
They are typically bright green, though some species how either red or blue patterns. Their color can change as a form of communication with other species but is also triggered by stress levels.
They are called “Giant” due to being the biggest known gecko in the Day family, able to grow to as long as a foot. But their size doesn’t make them any more sociable. In fact, they can lose their tails if handled even periodically due to intense levels of stress.
They are also quite the escape artists. They can escape from their tank very easily, which is why any enclosure needs to have a tight lid on top and an accommodating set up within. With all that in mind, these are geckos that are best suited to be looked at quietly during daylight hours.
The Giant Day Gecko is quite territorial so it is a bad idea to pair them with other geckos or animals in general. For owners who take good care of them, the Giant Day gecko could last between 6 to 8 years in terms of its lifespan.
7. Gold Dust Day Gecko
Another green-colored gecko species from Madagascar is the Gold Dust Day Gecko, which gets its name from the tiny yellow spots that fleck its body which is typically patterned with red and blue. They are more colorful than the Giant Day Gecko but are smaller than most species, comparable in stature to the Neon Day Gecko, growing to an adult size of at most 6 to 9 inches.
Similarly to other Day gecko species, this one is not a fan of being handled. Shy by nature, they prefer to hide behind rocks or in the cover of plant life. They are curious though, as long as they are left to explore their environment on their own terms. They have a mild temper, which is a part of what makes them easy to care for. They are also the last Day gecko on our list.
8. Mediterranean House Gecko
Generally found in Northern African and Southern European regions, the typically purple to tan Mediterranean House Gecko has large round eyes and dark spots. They don’t grow very big, achieving a length of at most 4 to 5 inches as adults, so they are perfectly fine to be housed in a 20-gallon tank.
Some of the members of this species have unintentionally migrated to several parts of Texas due to the ports that hose European ships that travel to the Americas. The fact that they live around humans on ships makes them more adept to live around them in homes too. They have, over time, adapted to be comfortable with that, and a hardy species to begin with.
They make great pets because they like being around people, are not shy like Day Geckos, and with good care can live up to 5 to 10 years, even in the care of a beginner.
9. Chahoua Gecko
Another gecko species that typically resides in rainforest treetops is the Chahoua Gecko, another variation of the New Caledonian gecko species. Their name comes from their scientific classification of Rhacodactylus chahoua. Some people affectionately refer to them as “chewies.”
The Chahoua is generally comfortable around humans, friendly, and fine with being handled (occasionally), though it is a good idea to carefully approach an adult who has not been handled as a juvenile with caution as they might be jumpy. They can grow up to 10 inches and live for as long as two decades. Their biggest downside, however, is that they are very expensive, especially as juveniles, set at about a $2,000 price point.
10. Common House Gecko
Also known as the Asian House Gecko, the Common House Gecko visibly resembles its Mediterranean cousin, having similar large eyes with no lids and tan bodies. However, unlike the Mediterranean variants, they come from Asia, rather than Europe, though they also have managed to find their way to Texas and Florida.
They are nocturnal animals and are drawn to light sources at night, which is where they can be seen most. This is the case because their primary source of nourishment, bugs, are also drawn to night-time lighting environments.
They are already adjusted to living in homes, so they do well at adapting, being fine with sharing spaces with human residents. They do not, however, like being handled, they are content with seeing humans around. They only grow to between 3 and 6 inches and are low maintenance enough to be kept by beginners and still live for up to 5 years.
11. Chinese Cave Gecko
The red-eyed Chinese Cave Gecko is a fine choice for a beginner owner. Stemming from the same genus as the African Fat-Tailed Gecko and the Leopard Gecko, the Chinese Cave variant is not as common as his cousins, but just as easy to take care of. They are typically ranging in color from brown to purple, with yellow and black spots and bands on their bodies. They tend to grow no more than 8 to 9 inches in length.
What makes them especially appealing pets is that their docile, not territorial, shy, yet tolerant of occasional handling. They are nocturnal so they do not require any special lighting, and unlike many other reptiles who need 80F+ temperatures, they thrive at room temperature inside a mere 10-gallon enclosure. This makes them hard and resilient, with a typical lifespan of about 15 years.
12. Gargoyle Gecko
Another great gecko species for beginners is the Gargoyle Gecko. They require basic husbandry, are simple to feed and tolerate the occasional handling, which is different from most species on this list, and are not crazy about human interaction.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect about the Gargoyle Gecko is that they have a lead-like appearance, with their snake-like eyes complimenting their mottled brown-colored skin. This species is among the finest in blending with tree trunks, not an overly surprising fact considering their coloration.
They are semi-arboreal, which means they can live on the ground or up in trees. They are nocturnal, which is easier on owners who do not need to provide special lighting for them, just maintain temperatures between 70 and 80F. They tolerate handling and are simple to care for overall, making them great beginner pets. They can grow to between 7 and 9 inches, and live for as long as two decades.
13. African Fat-Tailed Gecko
As noted earlier, a relative of the Chinese Cave Gecko is the African Fat-Tailed Gecko, though they look like a smaller version of the Leopard Gecko. They come from riverbanks and savannahs of West Africa, and they make great pets for beginner owners for a host of reasons. These include ease of care, slow mobility, great temperaments, simple feeding, and housing requirements, and they do not require special lighting. These docile geckos can grow to an adult size of 7 to 9 inches, and in good care survive as long as 10 to 25 years.
14. Crested Gecko
Of all the geckos in the Rhacodactylus genus, the Crested Gecko is the most popular. They are named as such thanks to the distinguishing crests that run along their backs, starting all the way up at their eye line. These crests are not simply decorative either, they actually serve the purpose of keeping dirt and dust out of their way.
They have large round eyes atop their triangular heads. They actually clean their eyeballs by licking them with their tongues (though this is not an uncommon trait for most geckos). Their snake-like eyes are generally of a pale orange hue, complementing their sunset-yellow coloration.
Their well-rounded characteristics make them great beginner pets. They like to live alone, are nocturnal (no special lighting necessary), are easily cared for, docile, and are fine with frequent handling. They grow to 6 to 10 inches in length and have a lifespan of approximately 15 to 20 years.
15. Leopard Gecko
For our money, the best gecko pet is the Leopard Gecko, and not just among gecko owners, but reptile owners in general, especially when they are the first of that variety. A lot of this has to do with their calm demeanor. Most first-time keepers reported overwhelming success with this species. They are easily fed, afflicted by very few health ailments, and do not require a large tank. They don’t even need special lighting since they are nocturnal.
While they are named for the beautifully spotted bodies and hail originally from southwestern Asia. However, most that are kept as pets actually come from being bred in captivity. This species has a variety of colorations and morphs. The ones found in the wild have white bellies, with yellow to tan bodies, adorned with dark brown spots.
Most interestingly and distinguishingly, their eyelids move, which isn’t something many geckos can do. That means that they do not need to lick their eyeballs to keep them clean. They are tame, and docile, growing only between 7 and 10 inches. Within the care of a good keeper, they can live from 1 to 2 decades.
What Is The Right Gecko Choice For You?
Geckos make great, and extremely interesting pets. While many species look similar, their care needs are quite different, as are the habitat they need to thrive, and their personalities. To best take care of the animal, for its safety, and the owner’s, the keeper needs to understand multiple gecko types to determine which suits them best.
A few factors of consideration include the price (some are far more expensive than others), with Leaf-Tailed, Chahouas, Gargoyles, and Leachies being the most expensive, while the Leopard, Frog-Eyed, Flying, Crested, and House geckos being the cheapest.
While the majority of the geckos we discussed are easy to take care of, some get intensely stressed when handled. Others, like the Crested, African Fat-Tailed, Mediterranean Ground, Gargoyle, and Leopard geckos are various versions of tolerant of it. For beginners, handling smaller species is recommended.
Some geckos will require more extensive husbandry than others, and some have longer lifespans than others. Depending on the wants and situations of the owner, one can choose which gecko suits their home and care best.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are many different types of pet geckos that are perfect for reptile lovers. From the classic leopard gecko to the unique African fat tail hybrid, there is a gecko out there for every type of owner. The top 15 best pet gecko types highlighted in this article should give you a good starting point for finding your perfect pet. If you are interested in learning more about leopard gecko African fat tail hybrid, be sure to check out our next article for more information.
Frequently asked questions:
What type of gecko is the geico gecko?
The Geico Gecko is a fictional character and is not a specific type of gecko. It is based on the appearance of a typical leopard gecko, which is a common pet species known for its distinctive spots and friendly temperament. The Geico Gecko is used in advertising campaigns for the Geico insurance company.
How many types of geckos are there?
There are over 1,500 different species of geckos known to science. They belong to the Gekkonidae family and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Geckos come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns, and are known for their unique ability to climb vertical surfaces and communicate with each other through vocalizations.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
