Mediterranean Gecko
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Backyard Lizards in Phoenix, Arizona
- Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)
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-- Gray or brown, patterned with darker chevrons, stripes, or spots and
measuring mostly less than 12 cm (including the tail). The tail is usually
about as long as, or slightly longer than the rest of the body. Blue patch on
underside of throat. These reptiles forage during the heat of the day,
preferring the vertical habitat provided by tree trunks and block walls. They
may seek shade during the hottest periods of the day. Occasionally they venture
onto flat ground to capture an insect prey. If one tree lizard spots another
they may display at each other doing pushups and flashing their blue throats.
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- Long-tailed Brush Lizard (Urosaurus graciosus)
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-- Very similar to the tree lizard, but tail is about twice as long as
the body. Depending on the area of town, this may be the more common of the
small diurnal lizards.
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- Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)
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-- Tan in color, splotched with brown and covered with wartlike bumps. Not to
compete with tree lizards, this introduced lizard hunts at night. They find
insects and spiders around the compost heap and even more productively below
the porch light. The toe pads allow geckos to easily climb walls and suspend
themselves from the ceiling. Cockroaches are a favorite prey, so they are more
than welcome! Both this and the tree lizard hide under the mulch and lay their
eggs there. They also hibernate there for several months during the coolest
winter months. The Geckos also make a nearly inaudible squeak usually on warm
nights and while hidden below the leaf litter.
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