Madagascar Gecko on a rain-wet lanai

The Madagascar Gecko, or the “daytime geckos” as a lot of people call them, are a common sight here in Hawaii. As their nickname suggests, this species of gecko comes out during the day, and looks very different from their nocturnal cousins.

Their bright colors contrast with the nighttime gecko varieties which tend to be less vibrant shades of translucent pink, tan, or gray, some even sporting tiger stripes.

The madagascar geckos are almost my  favorite lizard species on the island, second only to the Jackson Chameleons. These geckos (the same type depicted in the Gecko comercials) are green (brighter or darker depending on how warm they are) with yellow “gold dust” on their shoulders and upper back, and distinct red marks on their lower back and on their head, with a just a touch of blue around the eyes.