Gecko is a type of lizard with certain characteristics that are different from other lizards. The biggest gecko vs lizard difference lies in their climbing ability. Geckos can climb vertically while other lizards cannot. Geckos are vocal and make chirping sounds while other lizards are not as vocal as geckos.
Let’s take a closer look at lizard vs gecko here:
| Relation | Gecko is a type of lizard |
| Lifespan | Geckos live longer than other lizards |
| Vocalization | Geckos are more vocal than other lizards |
| Climbing ability | Geckos can climb vertically while lizards cannot |
Table of Contents
What is a Gecko?
Gecko is a small lizard with a short stout body, soft skin, and a large head.
What is a Lizard?
A lizard is a reptile with scaly skin, movable eyelids, four legs, and external ear openings.
Gecko vs Lizard Pros and Cons
Gecko Pros and Cons
Pros of Gecko
- They have excellent vision.
- They can climb vertically.
- They possess good hearing power.
- They are very vocal and can produce complex sounds.
- They live longer.
Cons of Gecko
- Some gecko species expel feces on their attackers in defense that can be an issue for humans.
- The term gecko has a limited scope since it is used for a subspecies of lizards.
Lizard Pros and Cons
Pros of Lizard
- The term lizard has a larger scope since it encompasses geckos as subspecies.
- Lizards can reproduce in multiple ways.
- They can eat a wide variety of food including insects, tetrapods, fruits, vegetation, carrion, etc.
Cons of Lizard
- They cannot climb vertically.
- Most of them are not vocal.
- They have a shorter lifespan than geckos.
Gecko and Lizard Examples
Examples of Gecko
- Tokay gecko
- Mourning gecko
- The leopard gecko
Examples of Lizard
- Thorny devil
- Komodo dragon
- Green iguana
Bringing out the Similarities between Geckos and Lizards for Better Understanding
- Both gecko and lizard fall under the class Reptilia, Squamata order, and the suborder Lacertilia.
- Both have four legs.
- Both reptiles are cold-blooded.
- A few species of both gecko and lizard can change color to camouflage.
- A few species of lizards and geckos can regrow their tails.
- Only a few species of both have been declared venomous.
11 Key Points of Difference Between a Gecko and a Lizard
The major differences between lizards and geckos are:
| Basis | Gecko | Lizard |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Its length can vary between 5 to 17 inches depending on the subspecies. | The length of lizards can be anywhere between 0.8 inches to 10 feet. |
| Climbing ability | Gecko can climb vertically due to its sticky toe pads. | Lizard can’t climb vertically as it has clawed feet sans stickiness to hold on. |
| Eyes | Gecko has a transparent membrane to cover its eyes. | Lizards have moveable eyelids. |
| Skin | Gecko has thin and bumpy skin. | Lizards have thick and scaly skin. |
| Vocalization | Geckos are vocal and chirp to socialize with other geckos. | Most lizards are not vocal. |
| Diet | Geckos generally feed on insects, moths, or smaller lizards or mice. | Lizards would feed on both insects and vegetation. |
| Sleeping behavior | Geckos are nocturnal. | Most lizard species are not nocturnal. |
| Lifespan | Gecko lifespan averages 5 to 7 years. | Lizards generally live for around 1 to 3 years. |
| Birthing method | Geckos lay eggs in pairs. | Lizards may lay eggs or reproduce live young. |
| Habitat | Geckos are found in warm climates. | Lizards are found on all continents except Antarctica. |
| Relationship | All geckos are lizards. | All lizards are not geckos since the term lizard includes many other species as well. |
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Gecko and Lizard FAQs
What is the Difference Between a Lizard and a Gecko?
Lizard is a broader term while gecko is a narrower one. Gecko is a small lizard with good vocalization skills.
Can a Lizard and a Gecko Mate?
No, the chances of a lizard and a gecko mating are extremely low. All lizard species including geckos have different shell development and chromosome structure that might prevent them from mating.
Is a Gecko a Baby Lizard?
No, geckos are a type of lizard but not a baby lizard.
Is it OK to Have Geckos in the House?
Geckos are docile and harmless. They are known to climb the house walls and it’s okay to have them in the house. Many people also have them as pets. Even when considering geckos vs. bearded dragons as pet lizards, Leopard geckos are preferred over bearded dragons.
What Classifies a Gecko?
The classification of geckos is done in the class Reptilia. Gecko is a four-legged reptile that can even crawl upside down on the ceiling without falling off. It is known to make chirpy sounds and comes out at night for food.
What is the Lizard in Skyfall?
It is the biggest lizard in the world; Komodo Dragon.
How many Babies Does a Gecko have?
Gecko lays 1 to 2 eggs at a time and the laying period lasts for a month with a total of around 18 to 20 eggs.
How many Fingers Does a Gecko have?
A gecko has four toes and five fingers in every toe. Thus, it has a total of 20 fingers.
What Eats a Gecko?
Dogs, cats, snakes, birds, and spiders eat a gecko.
Is a Crested Gecko a Lizard?
Yes, a crested gecko is a species of gecko and since all geckos are lizards, a crested gecko is also a lizard.
Conclusion
Geckos are small lizards found in warm climates all over the world. The major difference between geckos and lizards lies in their climbing abilities. While geckos can climb vertically due to their sticky toe pads, lizards cannot do that since they have clawed feet sans stickiness to hold on to. Also, geckos are vocal and are capable of making complex sounds while other lizards are not as vocal as geckos. Geckos do not have eyelids while lizards have movable eyelids. Additionally, geckos live for 5 to 7 years on average and lizards live for about 1 to 3 years generally.
