Geckos in Bermuda
House Gecko captured in Paget. Photo by Sarah Pietila.
Two species of geckos have recently established wild populations in Bermuda: the Mediterranean or Turkish gecko, (Hemidactylus turcicus) and the House gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia).
Both geckos have spread successfully around the world via cargo and are well-established in the southern states of the US. We suspect they have come to Bermuda by the same method, likely hidden in imported goods or containers.
These geckos have been seen at an increasing number of locations on the island. Both species feed at night and hide in the day, usually in houses and buildings. They can be seen at night on walls under lights waiting to catch insects. They make a loud “TCKKK” noise which is very distinctive, so the public can not only look for them but also listen.
These geckos are easily distinguished from Bermuda’s common anole lizards and our endemic skink, as they have a mottled tan, brown or gray skin with distinctive bumps all over the body. Also the pupil of the eye is orientated vertically - like a slit or ‘cat-eye’.
The department was previously asking the public to report sightings, but the geckos are so widespread now, their elimination is not feasible. If you see an unknown reptile and would like it identified, you can email a photograph (under 6MB file size) to: environment@gov.bm .
More information on geckos in Bermuda: