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Tenerife Wall Geckos

Tarentola delalandii

Learn more about Tarentola delalandii from the Encyclopedia of Life

Tenerife, Canary Islands,
Spain
By Francisco Mingorance
Almuñécar, Granada, Spain

The medium-sized, 3- to 6-inch-long wall gecko is found in the Canary Islands of Tenerife and La Palma. Well-adapted to the temperate forests, shrubland, and rocky habitat, this abundant species can thrive from sea level up to altitudes as high as 7,500 feet. Equipped with claws and climbing pads on their feet and toes, they are also commonly found scaling urban buildings and the stone walls of urban and rural gardens and pastureland. Individuals of this robust genus sometimes deposit their eggs under stones, and hatchlings are observed in September.

“During mating season, the males become extremely territorial and aggressive with other potential competitors. While researching the wall geckos of Spain, I was able to capture some truly amazing images, like this silhouette of two dominant males facing off over the best breeding territory.” —FM

Canon EOS 1N; 300mm ƒ/4 lens; 1.4x teleconverter; Fujichrome Velvia film ISO 50; 1/250 sec at ƒ/8; tripod.