Stats

Lifespan

5-10 yrs

Size

Small

Diet

Insectivore

Activity

Nocturnal

Social

Solitary

Biome

Tropical rainforest

Range

Southeast Asia

Movement

Climbing

Breeding

Egg-laying

Defense

Camouflage

Status

Common

About

This small lizard lives on walls and ceilings throughout Southeast Asia. It uses microscopic hairs on its toes to hang upside down on smooth glass surfaces.

Life cycle

1. 1.
   hatchling

   A miniature lizard cuts itself free from its egg and starts hunting tiny insects within days.
2. 2.
   juvenile

   A juvenile sheds repeatedly as it grows, often duller-colored than adults and quick to dart for cover.
3. 3.
   adult

   Fully grown with adult coloration and size.

Learn more

• View on iNaturalist →
• Watch on YouTube →

Taxonomy

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Reptilia

Order

Squamata

Family

Gekkonidae

Genus

Hemidactylus

Species

Hemidactylus frenatus