Top 10 Most Beautiful Gecko Species
With a thousand species of geckos which can be found worldwide, geckos are no doubt known for having some of the most vibrant colors and patterns in the animal world. Here in this list, we present the top 10 most beautiful gecko species - most of them that can be even kept as pets, although difficulty may vary depending on the species.
An interesting fact: they were once considered extinct until rediscovered in 1994. Now, they are considered one of the most popular gecko species as pets despite their vulnerable status. This gecko species can vary a lot.
The crested gecko can appear in diverse colors and have numerous variations and morphs, including tiger, harlequin, bi-color, and lavender. But that's just scratching the surface. Bonus points: they are easy to care for due to their calm disposition. Just be warned that once their tail drops, it can't regenerate, so treat it with care.
Also known as the turquoise dwarf gecko or simply the electric blue lizard, this lizard is among the most striking of them all thanks to its vibrant blue skin. However, this color is only seen in fully grown males. Females have greener or occasionally brownish skin, which can also be seen in younger geckos.
Sadly, they are considered critically endangered, as they are heavily sought in the pet trade. William's Dwarf Geckos can usually be found in the forests of Tanzania, and when kept in captivity, they require a lot of attention.
You can tell why they are also called neon day geckos. Although pretty small, they are noted for their strikingly vibrant shades of greenish-yellow and blue. These unique geckos can be found in the bamboo forests of northwestern Madagascar. Although endangered, they make an absolutely interesting sight.
Neon Day Gecko definitely has a nice ring to it.
This gecko seems like it can only be seen in the depths of hell, but it can actually be found in Madagascar. Having a brown, yellowish appearance (although it may appear in different colors), it looks similar to dead leaves, with its tail especially resembling a withering leaf. This makes it extremely useful for camouflaging from predators while hunting insects, and it helps with its small size.
It will gape its bright "devilish" mouth when feeling threatened, let out a satanic scream, and show its deceiving leaf-like tail to trick predators.
Here's another unique-looking gecko that can be found in Asia, particularly in the forests of China, Japan, and Vietnam. This nocturnal gecko is characterized by a sleek black appearance accompanied by yellow stripes and red eyes. It looks quite reminiscent of a dark-type Pokémon.
Unlike some other gecko species, they tend to be easy to treat due to their calm demeanor and not requiring fancy setups. Combine their striking appearance and relaxed temperament, and they make a desirable pet.
At first impression, you might think its name is derived from the music genre "psychedelic rock," but it is not related to the genre. Instead, it lives in granite rocks. As the image suggests, this gecko has some of the most unique color combinations unlike any other species. Also called the Cnemaspis psychedelica, it is characterized by an orange tail, a gray-bluish body with vibrant yellow and black stripes from its throat and neck, and green hues surrounding its eyes.
Endemic to Vietnam, specifically Hon Khoai Island, it is considered the rarest species of gecko on Earth, with only 500 existing in the wild. Its prices can soar up to the thousands. This gecko is one of the most recently discovered, so studying it would truly be interesting.
Usually accompanied by orange spots, it has a striking turquoise color on its skin. It has an aggressive disposition and is capable of delivering a painful bite, which makes it unsuitable for beginner keepers. It is also sexually dimorphic, with the female's appearance usually looking bland. The Tokay Gecko can be found in Southeast Asia, where they are seen as bringers of fortune.
Whenever the word "lizard" or "gecko" is mentioned, the Gold Dust Day Gecko is most likely the first species that comes to mind. Found in the north of Madagascar, they are strikingly green with red specks on their head and a bright blue hue on their eyes. Thanks to that one advertisement, they are pretty iconic.
Slap some leopard spots on a lizard, and obviously you get the Leopard Gecko. While the patterns make it look striking, it is also a popular pet, especially among beginners who are just starting to raise a gecko. Leopard Geckos typically have fat tails. The cost of a Leopard Gecko usually ranges from as cheap as $30 (even less), to a few hundred dollars depending on the variation.
This gecko species totally screams "not like the other geckos." Having webbed feet, it adapts well to the desert. It is characterized by big eyes and translucent skin. Its most prominent trait is that it can glow with a vibrant green hue in the dark.
While not the most beautiful, it stands out for being one of the most unique species. Unlike other gecko species, it tends to be introverted with people when kept as a pet, so playing with it is usually not a good idea.
You would "commonly" see this gecko in Southeast Asia. While not the most beautiful, it is useful for getting rid of mosquitoes and cockroaches.