17種類のヤモリ：私たちのお気に入りのペット種！

17 Types Of Geckos: Our Favorite Pet Species! Skip to content With over 1,800 gecko species in the world, deciding which one to keep can feel overwhelming. I’ve been breeding and keeping geckos for over a decade, and the honest answer is that most people end up with the wrong species because they chose based on looks alone — without considering temperament, care difficulty, or whether the gecko will actually interact with them. This list covers 17 of the best pet gecko species, grouped by difficulty level so you can find the right match for your experience and lifestyle. Every species here has something genuine to offer — but some are far better suited to beginners than others. If you’re trying to decide between a gecko and another reptile entirely, our best pet lizards guide gives useful context on where geckos sit in the broader picture. Table of Contents Quick Comparison: 17 Pet Gecko Species at a Glance Beginner-Friendly Gecko Species 1. Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) 2. Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) 3. African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) 4. Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) Intermediate Gecko Species 5. Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) 6. Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) 7. Chahoua Gecko (Mniarogekko chahoua) 8. Chinese Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus luii) 9. Frog-Eyed Gecko (Teratoscincus scincus) 10. Mourning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris) 11. Giant Day Gecko (Phelsuma grandis) Advanced Gecko Species 12. Leachianus Gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus) 13. Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) 14. Golden Gecko (Gekko badenii) 15. Yellow-Headed Day Gecko (Gonatodes albogularis) 16. Flying Gecko (Ptychozoon kuhli) 17. Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus) Frequently Asked Questions What is the best gecko for a beginner? What is the largest pet gecko? Which geckos can be handled? Do geckos need UVB lighting? How long do pet geckos live? What do pet geckos eat? Which Gecko Is Right For You? Quick Comparison: 17 Pet Gecko Species at a Glance Species Size Lifespan Difficulty Handleable? Active Leopard Gecko 8–10 in 15–20 yrs ⭐ Beginner ✅ Yes Night Crested Gecko 8–10 in 15–20 yrs ⭐ Beginner ✅ Yes Night African Fat-Tailed Gecko 7–9 in 15–20 yrs ⭐ Beginner ✅ Yes Night Gargoyle Gecko 8–10 in 15–20 yrs ⭐ Beginner ✅ Yes Night Gold Dust Day Gecko 4–6 in 10–15 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ⚠️ Display only Day Mediterranean House Gecko 4–5 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ⚠️ Skittish Night Chahoua Gecko 8–10 in 15–20 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ✅ With training Night Chinese Cave Gecko 6–8 in 10–15 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ✅ With training Night Frog-Eyed Gecko 6–8 in 10–15 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ✅ Moderate Night Mourning Gecko 3–4 in 10+ yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ❌ Too small/fast Night Giant Day Gecko 10–12 in 10–15 yrs ⭐⭐ Intermediate ❌ Display only Day Leachianus Gecko 14–17 in 20+ yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ⚠️ Bonded pairs only Night Tokay Gecko 10–14 in 10–15 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ⚠️ Experienced only Night Golden Gecko 7–8 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ❌ Display only Night Yellow-Headed Day Gecko 3–4 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ❌ Display only Day Flying Gecko 7–8 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ❌ Display only Night Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko 4–6 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ❌ Display only Night White-Lined Gecko 5–7 in 5–10 yrs ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced ❌ Display only Night Beginner-Friendly Gecko Species These four species are the best starting point for anyone new to gecko keeping. They’re forgiving of minor husbandry mistakes, widely captive-bred, handleable, and have straightforward care requirements. 1. Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis macularius) The leopard gecko is the most popular pet gecko in the world — and for good reason. In my experience breeding them for years, they’re the most consistently handleable, forgiving gecko you can keep. They tolerate minor temperature fluctuations, accept a variety of feeder insects, and once settled, will actively come to the front of their enclosure when they see you. Unlike most geckos, leopard geckos have moveable eyelids — giving them an expressive, almost mammalian face. They also lack the adhesive toe pads of other gecko species, so they stay on the ground rather than climbing the walls of their enclosure. They’re terrestrial, which means a wide, low-profile tank works better than a tall vivarium. Leopard geckos come in an extraordinary range of morphs — from the classic yellow-with-black-spots wild type to albinos, blizzards, tangerines, and designer combinations. Leopard geckos are nocturnal , so they’re most active in the evening and at night — perfect for keepers who work during the day. Lifespan with proper care is 15–20 years, making this a long-term commitment worth planning for. Size: 8–10 inches Lifespan: 15–20 years Enclosure: 20-gallon minimum, terrestrial, 88–92°F warm side / 75°F cool side UVB: Ferguson Zone 1–2 — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6% or Zoo Med 5.0 T5 HO. Ferguson Zone classifications are based on published field research by Ferguson et al. See our guide on whether leopard geckos need UVB . Diet: Crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches — dusted with calcium and D3 Handling: Excellent — one of the most handleable gecko species available 2. Crested Gecko (Correlophus ciliatus) The crested gecko is the other titan of the beginner gecko world, and it’s earned every bit of its popularity. Thought to be extinct until rediscovered in New Caledonia in 1994, it’s now one of the most widely kept reptiles in the hobby. The combination of gentle temperament, striking appearance, and ease of care is hard to beat. The most defining feature is the crest — a fringe of soft spikes running from above the eyes down to the base of the tail. Crested geckos come in a huge variety of morphs including dalmatian, harlequin, pinstripe, and flame patterns. One important note: crested geckos cannot regrow their tail once dropped, so handle them calmly and avoid startling them. They’re also heat-sensitive — they struggle above 80°F, so a cool room is an asset rather than a problem with this species. Wondering how the crested gecko stacks up against its New Caledonian cousin? Our crested gecko vs gargoyle gecko comparison breaks down every key difference to help you choose between them. Size: 8–10 inches Lifespan: 15–20 years Enclosure: 20-gallon tall minimum, 72–78°F ambient — they struggle above 80°F UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6% Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder (Repashy/Pangea) + crickets/dubia Handling: Good — calm but quick; allow to walk hand to hand rather than gripping 3. African Fat-Tailed Gecko (Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) The African fat-tailed gecko is the leopard gecko’s closest rival for the title of “most handleable gecko.” Native to the arid savannahs of West Africa, they share a similar build and terrestrial lifestyle with leopard geckos but have a distinctly calmer, more laid-back temperament. Many keepers find them even more docile once settled. The signature fat tail stores energy reserves — similar to a leopard gecko’s tail function. Unlike leopard geckos, African fat-tailed geckos come from slightly more humid environments, so they need a moist hide in their enclosure to support healthy shedding. They’re available in a growing range of morphs including albinos, zeroes, and whiteouts, though the morph market isn’t as developed as for leopard geckos. Males must be housed separately — they’re territorial and will fight. Size: 7–9 inches Lifespan: 15–20 years Enclosure: 20-gallon minimum, terrestrial; needs moist hide — 50–70% humidity UVB: Ferguson Zone 1–2 — same setup as leopard gecko Diet: Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms — dusted with calcium and D3 Handling: Excellent — arguably the calmest gecko on this list 4. Gargoyle Gecko (Rhacodactylus auriculatus) The gargoyle gecko is named for the bony bumps and ridges on its head that give it a sculptural, slightly menacing appearance — though the temperament is anything but. This New Caledonian species is one of the most handleable arboreal geckos available, and it’s considerably more robust than the crested gecko, making it slightly more forgiving for beginners. Gargoyle geckos can be grey, brown, white, red, or orange in various banded, reticulated, and striped patterns. Like crested geckos, they can be fed on Repashy or Pangea meal replacement powder. Unlike crested geckos, gargoyle geckos can regrow their tail after dropping it — a useful resilience in a gecko that’s handled regularly. The one caution: gargoyle geckos are territorial with each other, particularly males. Size: 8–10 inches Lifespan: 15–20 years Enclosure: 20-gallon tall minimum; 72–78°F — same temperature range as crested gecko UVB: Low-level UVB beneficial — Arcadia ShadeDweller 6% Diet: Crested gecko meal replacement powder + live insects Handling: Very good — one of the best arboreal geckos for regular handling Intermediate Gecko Species These species are excellent choices for keepers with some reptile experience. They have slightly more specific care needs, more challenging temperaments, or are primarily display animals rather than handling pets. 5. Gold Dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda) The gold dust day gecko is one of the most visually striking species you can keep — vivid emerald green with red head markings and a dusting of gold-yellow flecks on the neck and shoulders that genuinely glitter in light. It’s a Madagascan species that’s active during the day, making it one of the few geckos you’ll actually see doing things in their enclosure while you’re awake. Gold dust day geckos are not handling pets — their skin is delicate and they’re fast, skittish, and stressed by restraint. They’re a display species, best appreciated through the glass of a well-planted bioactive vivarium. Males are aggressively territorial and will fight to the death — never house two males together. Diet includes insects plus a commercial day gecko nectar or soft fruit preparation. Size: 4–6 inches Lifespan: 10–15 years Enclosure: Tall planted vivarium; 82–8