Geckos and lizards are reptiles belonging to the order Squamata. These reptiles are generally found in a hot and warm climate in abundance throughout the world. However, these two reptiles, geckos and lizards, also differ from each other in terms of physical characteristics, living conditions and eating habits. In this article, we will have a detailed study on the differences between these reptiles and their unique characteristics.
Gecko vs Lizard
The main difference between a gecko and a lizard is that geckos possess a unique characteristic of making chirping sounds and are known for vocalizations, but lizards lack this unique feature or characteristic. Geckos possess broad toes, but lizards are known to possess clawed feet.
Geckos are known to be originated from North Africa and later on spread to the Canary Islands, southern France, South Pacific islands. The types of geckos which are kept as pets are Leopard Geckos and Crested Gecko. Geckos are known for having thin skin with small bumps like features on the skin. 1196 variety of species of geckos are found globally. The lifespan of the geckos is 5 to 7 years.
Lizards’ origin can be traced back to 200 million years when they evolved with the reptiles. The types of lizards that are kept as pets include iguanas, monitor lizards and bearded dragon. The majority of lizards have scaly and dry skin. Around 3800 variety of species of lizards are found on earth. The lifespan of the lizards is 1 to 3 years.
Comparison Table Between a Gecko and a Lizard
| Parameters of Comparison | a Gecko | a Lizard |
| Order and Class | Order Squamata and class Reptilia. | Order Squamata and class Sauropsida. |
| Species Count | 1196 variety of species of geckos are found globally. | Around 3800 variety of species of lizards are found on earth. |
| Lifespan | The lifespan of the geckos is 5 to 7 years. | The lifespan of the lizards is 1 to 3 years. |
| Venomous | Geckos are not generally venomous. But recently, some varieties of geckos have been found which are venomous. | Until now, only two out of the all existing varieties of lizards are venomous. |
| Food | Geckos generally feed on butterflies, cockroaches, crickets, beetles and millipedes, Caledonian gecko, mice, young lizards, small birds. | Lizards generally sustain themselves by eating various foods, like insects, carrion, fruits and vegetation, carrion, etc. |
| Origin | Geckos are known to be originated from North Africa and later on spread to the Canary Islands, southern France, South Pacific islands. | Lizards’ origin can be traced back to 200 million years when they evolved with the reptiles. |
| Pets | The types of geckos that are kept as pets are Leopard Geckos and Crested Gecko. | The types of lizards kept as pets include tegus, iguanas, monitor lizards and a bearded dragon. |
| Vocalization | Geckos possess a unique characteristic of making chirping sounds. | Lizards lack this characteristic. |
| Appearance | Geckos possess broad toes. | Lizards possess clawed feet. |
| Skin Texture | Geckos are known for having thin skin with small bumps like features on the skin. | The majority of lizards have scaly and dry skin. |
What is a Gecko?
Geckos belong to the order Squamata and class Reptilia. Geckos can be seen in hot climates globally and are short to average sized lizards. Geckos possess broad toes, scaly skin, vast eye pupils. Many Geckos lay eggs like reptiles.
The gecko in the female house, between May to August, lays four to five pair of eggs. Between layings, usually, a two-four weeks gap is present. 1196 variety of species of geckos are found globally. The lifespan of the geckos is 5 to 7 years.
Geckos are not generally venomous. But recently, some varieties of geckos have been found which are venomous. Geckos generally feed on butterflies, cockroaches, crickets, beetles and millipedes, Caledonian gecko, mice, young lizards, small birds.
What is a Lizard?
Lizards belong to the order Squamata and class Sauropsida. Lizards are kind of reptiles having movable eyelids, four legs and ear openings that are externally visible. Lizards are cold-blooded and possess scaly skin, four legs and movable eyelids.
A minority of lizards lay their eggs inside a nest. While other lizards give birth to young lizards, and the eggs hatch inside their body. However, the feminine lizards generally do not care at all for their babies. Around 3800 variety of species of lizards are found on earth.
The lifespan of the lizards is 1 to 3 years. In the case of lizards, until now, only two out of the all existing varieties of lizards are venomous. Lizards generally sustain themselves by eating a wide variety of foods, like insects, carrion, fruits and vegetation, carrion, etc.
Main Differences Between a Gecko and a Lizard
- Geckos belong to the order Squamata and class Reptilia. Whereas lizards belong to the order Squamata and class Sauropsida.
- Geckos can be seen in hot climates globally and are short to average sized lizards. Whereas lizards are kind of reptiles having movable eyelids, four legs and ear openings that are externally visible.
- Geckos possess broad toes, scaly skin, vast eye pupils. Whereas lizards are cold-blooded and possess scaly skin, four legs and movable eyelids.
- Many Geckos lay eggs like reptiles. The gecko in the female house, between May to August, lays four to five pair of eggs. Between layings, usually, a two-four weeks gap is present. Whereas a minority of lizards lay their eggs inside a nest. While other lizards give birth to young lizards, and the eggs hatch inside their body. However, the feminine lizards generally do not care at all for their babies.
- 1196 variety of species of geckos are found globally, and around 3800 variety of species of lizards are found on earth.
- The lifespan of the geckos is 5 to 7 years, whereas the lifespan of the lizards is 1 to 3 years.
- Geckos are not generally venomous. But recently, some varieties of geckos have been found which are venomous. But in the case of lizards, until now, only two out of the all existing varieties of lizards are venomous.
- Geckos generally feed on butterflies, cockroaches, crickets, beetles and millipedes, Caledonian gecko, mice, young lizards, small birds. Whereas lizards generally sustain themselves by eating a wide variety of foods, like insects, carrion, fruits and vegetation, carrion, etc.
- Geckos are known to be originated from North Africa and later on spread to the Canary Islands, southern France, South Pacific islands. Whereas lizards’ origin can be traced back to 200 million years when they evolved with the reptiles.
- The types of geckos that are kept as pets are Leopard Geckos and Crested Gecko. Whereas, the types of lizards that are kept as pets include tegus, iguanas, monitor lizards and a bearded dragon.
- Geckos possess a unique characteristic of making chirping sounds whereas, lizards lack this characteristic.
- Geckos are known for having thin skin with small bumps like features on the skin. Whereas, majority of lizards have scaly and dry skin.
- Geckos possess broad toes whereas, lizards possess clawed feet.
Conclusion
Many people get confused between different varieties of lizards and lizards themselves. The ones that we spot on the walls of our houses are not the only kind of lizards that are found on the earth. Gecko possesses an extraordinary characteristic of uttering chirping sounds, which the lizards lack. Moreover, geckos possess broad toes, scaly skin, vast eye pupils.
However, the lizards are cold-blooded and possess scaly skin, four legs and movable eyelids. Some visible differences can also be seen, such as geckos possess broad toes whereas, lizards possess clawed feet. Hence, this article well describes the difference between a lizard and a type of species of lizard, that is, gecko.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006349505727284
- https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/115320