Common House Gecko

Names and classification

Scientific name

Hemidactylus frenatus

Common names

Common House Gecko · Asian house gecko

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Evidence limits

Occurrence is supported; local abundance and impact estimates remain less certain than presence.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats

Buildings and vegetation in warm lowlands; frequently associated with artificial lights.

Food and resource needs

Nocturnal arthropod prey, often concentrated around lights.

Reproduction

Species-appropriate egg-laying sites or live-bearing conditions; stable microclimate.

Shelter

Bark, foliage, rock, litter, crevices, walls, or woody debris depending on species.

Threats and conservation

Threats

Competitive displacement of other geckos and predation on native arthropods are important potential pathways.

Conservation actions

Early detection, containment/control where feasible, prevent intentional release or transport, protect high-value native habitats, and monitor ecological effects.

Monitoring

Repeat island occurrence surveys, population trend monitoring, and impact studies using standardized methods.

Data gaps

Current population distribution, abundance, and Kauaʻi-specific ecological effect sizes remain incompletely quantified.

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing

Generally year-round in Hawaiʻi; local activity varies with temperature and moisture

Seasonal description

Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) is a documented established nonnative species on Kauaʻi.

Sources and further reading

• Bishop Museum — Hawaiian Reptile & Amphibian Checklist
• iNaturalist — Kauaʻi Check List