The Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), also commonly referred to as the Mediterranean gecko, the Turkish gecko as represented in its Latin name, and also as the moon lizard because it emerges in the evening, is a type of house gecko common to the Mediterranean which has spread to many parts of the world.
A study in Portugal found the Mediterranean house gecko to be totally nocturnal, with the highest activity peak around 2 am. They are insectivorous, rarely exceeding 15 centimeters (5.9 in) in length, have large, lidless eyes with elliptical pupils, and purple - or tan-colored skin with black spots, often with stripes on the tail. Their bellies or undersides are somewhat translucent. It is currently unknown what impact the geckos have on native wildlife in the countries they have invaded.
In many parts of the world the range of the Mediterranean house gecko is increasing, and unlike many other reptiles, they appear to be highly resistant to pesticides. The increase may be explained as a consequence of having few predators in places where they have been introduced, and also of their tendency to take shelter in the cracks and unseen areas of human homes, for example inside walls. Reliance on human habitation has thus contributed to their proliferation, similar to rodents. In some Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Turkey and Cyprus it is a taboo to harm them due to their benign nature and they are often kept as house pets.