Difference Between Lizard and Gecko

Lizard vs Gecko

A lizard and gecko belong to the suborder of Lacertilla, which is a category of Reptilia. These two are reptiles that have overlapping scales, and they have small pads on their feet, which allow them to cling or hang on walls.

Lizards

Lizards are pretty common reptiles, and they are found all over the world. Generally, lizards have scaly and dry skin. It has 4 legs, long tail and clawed feet. Lizards have weak tails. With just a small tug or bump it easily breaks off from the lizard’s body. However, not all of them have weak tails. Their tails are pretty important in movement and balance.

Gecko

A gecko is a kind of Lizard that belongs to the Gekkonidae family. This can be seen in warm climates around the world. Their size can range from 1.6cm – 60cm. Their name came from the Javanese or Indonesian term Tokek, which is inspired from the sound they make. Most geckos, except the ones from the Eublepharinae subfamily, do not have eyelids and only have a transparent membrane.

What is the difference between Lizard and Gecko

All Lizards are not Geckos but All Geckos are Lizards. Gecko is a type of lizard. Typically, out of the 4,675 of lizard species, only a small number of them can vocalize and one of them is the gecko, which makes them unique among all other lizards. They have unique chirping sound in communicating with other geckos. In terms of food preference, lizards can eat on a wide range of food such as veggies, insects, fruits, carrion and small tetrapods while geckos only eat insects like beetles, millepedes, cockroaches and crickets. All Gecko families are not venomous while there are lizard varieties that are venomous.

Lizards and geckos can be domesticated and can be kept as pets since they are harmless to all humans. Except for the Komodo dragon, who are known to attack and stalk and occasionally kill humans.