[Floof]

Hi, folks! Recently, this ad was posted on KSL (basically, Utah's version of Craigslist). I'm considering picking up this dear little thing, pending the roommate's OK, but I need to know what it is before I can do that!

Here's the link to the ad: Hawaiian Gecko - Other Pets - Pets and Livestock - American Fork - For Sale - Classifieds | ksl.com Apparently, the local pet store told them it was a species from Hawaii, but the seller couldn't remember what name the employee used when I emailed (though I'm not keen on trusting a random pet store employee's ID, anyway!). From what I've found looking around Google, there are no geckos actually native to Hawaii, but two introduced species that resemble this little one...

The pictures from the ad are attached below. If anyone here could help ID this little gecko, and direct me toward an accurate care sheet, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

[Floof]

The seller just emailed me a few pics... Larger versions of the two from the ad, plus a third; here they are, to help with ID...

[thorrshamri]

"In Hawaii there are currently 7 geckos. They are all introduced, yet they are unsure which may have been introduced by polynesians. Presently the suspected polynesian introductions include, the Morning Gecko (Lepidodactylus lugubris), the Stump-toed Gecko (Gehyra mutilata), the Small Tree Gecko (Hemiphyllodactylus typus), and the Fox Gecko (Hemidactylus garnottii). The other three were introduced. In 1940, the Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), in the 1970's the Gold-dust Day Gecko (Phelsuma laticauda), and in the 1980's the Orange-spotted Day Gecko (Phelsuma guimbeaui)" (Geckos in Hawaii

What you have here is a juvenile, most likely of Hemidactylus garnotii or Indopacific geckos, the other choice among the 7 species being a young Lepidodactylus lugubris. Check if there are rows of tiny spines on each side of the tail, that will indicate you have H. garnotii; if no spines are present and that the tail is more or less prehensile, then you have the second species, L. lugubris There is no big difference about keeping either of the two, a small, vertical tank with thin branches, potted plants, and a ricky background with day temps around 80-85°F will be perfect, both are nocturnal

[Floof]

Thanks for the ID! Unfortunately, I didn't get it--I didn't want to take anything on without knowing its species/care beforehand. Oh well... At least my curiosity has been sated...

[thorrshamri]

Originally Posted by Floof

Thanks for the ID! Unfortunately, I didn't get it--I didn't want to take anything on without knowing its species/care beforehand. Oh well... At least my curiosity has been sated...

It was a wise choice not to take a species on which you had no information, some people should follow your example, unfortunately they don't always do it. And you are welcome for the ID, though I'd like to know out of personal curiosity if qualified members of this forum think my ID was right

[Elizabeth Freer]

From what I can see this gecko is NOT a Lepidodactylus lugubris.

[thorrshamri]

Hemidactylus garnotii then