Flat-tailed house gecko

The flat-tailed house gecko, also known as the frilled house gecko or Asian house gecko, is a fascinating little creature from the Gekkonidae family. It originates from southeastern and southern Asia and is sometimes referred to by its scientific name, Cosymbotus.

What makes this gecko distinctive? It features a longer snout, a concave forehead, and a small ear opening. Its tail is flat with jagged edges, and its body is covered in tiny granules. Notably, you’ll also observe skin flaps on its limbs. Male geckos are marked by a line of femoral pores and unique scale patterns on their tails and limbs.

These geckos are found in regions such as Bangladesh, India, China, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and even Florida, USA. They are quite popular as pets and are relatively easy to care for in a terrarium with regular misting and a diet of insects. However, they can be somewhat challenging to handle.

Some herpetoculturists even use them as feeder lizards for certain snake species, such as the Asian green vine snake. Their unique appearance, especially with the skin flaps along their sides, makes them resemble tiny flying geckos, setting them apart from other gecko species.