Common name: Red Sea House Gecko
Scientific name: Hemidactylus robustus
Family: Gekkonidae

Size:
SVL (snout-to-vent length): up to 75 mm
Total length: approximately 15–18 cm

Identification:
A large and robust gecko with a broad head, strong body, and well-developed adhesive toe pads. Its coloration varies from pale grey and sandy brown to darker shades, usually marked with irregular blotches and bands. The back is covered with prominent enlarged tubercles, giving it a rough appearance. The tail is thick and often banded.

Habitat:
Rocky mountains, cliffs, wadis, stone walls, buildings, and coastal settlements. Frequently associated with both natural rocky habitats and human structures.

Status in the UAE:
Native resident. Widely distributed in the Hajar Mountains and eastern regions of the UAE, where it occupies rocky habitats and settlements.

Diet:
Insectivorous — feeds on insects, spiders, moths, beetles, and other small arthropods.

Behavior:
A nocturnal gecko commonly seen on rock faces, walls, and buildings after sunset. It is an agile climber and often hunts around artificial lights where insects gather. During the day it shelters within cracks, crevices, and rocky refuges.

Conservation Status:
Least Concern (LC)