This family of lizards is one of the most widespread, globally occurring lizards. Geckos are mainly nocturnal, but one genus comprises of diurnal geckos. They are small to medium sized lizards the largest of which measure < 1 ft. Most geckos are highly vocal, with very good calling ability. South Indian geckos are oviparous and most species lay 2 eggs. Communal nesting has been frequently recorded in some species. Five genera occur in southern India. An * indicates endemic species.

Hemidactylus OKEN, 1817
This species-rich, widespread genus is one of the best known and typical representatives of the family. The genus is characterized by the presence of broad, oval sheaths present in the terminal phalanges of the digits. The skin may be smooth, coarse or granulated, depending upon the species. Several species of this genus are found mainly in the rocky, hill tracts covered with dry, sparse forest country. Species richness in Hemidactylus geckos is very high in places like Eastern Ghats & northern Western Ghats. The following species occur in southern India.
Hemidactylus aaronbaurei GIRI, 2008
H. anamallensis * GÜNTHER, 1875
H. frenatus DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1836
H. brookii GRAY, 1845
H. triedrus (DAUDIN, 1802)
H. leschenaultii DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1836
H. giganteus* STOLICZA, 1871
H. maculatus DUMÉRIL & BIBRON, 1836
H. reticulatus* BEDDOME, 1970
H. prashadi* SMITH, 1953
H. scabriceps (ANNANDALE, 1906)
H. sataraensis GIRI & BAUER, 2008
H. subtriedrus JERDON, 1853
H. treutleri MAHONY, 2009

Cnemaspis STRAUCH, 1887
This genus of small geckos, are commonly known as ‘Day gecko’ due to their diurnal habits or ‘Dwarf geckos’ due to their small size. They all have slender, digits & round pupil. They are strictly hill species, inhabiting hilly terrain and forests. These geckos are partial to rocks and caves in hill forest country. Several species are known, all but one species are restricted to Western Ghats. Several species are being currently described.
Cnemaspis indica* GRAY, 1846
C. littoralis* (JERDON, 1854)
C. heteropholis* BAUER, 2002
C. nairi* INGER, MARX & KOSHY, 1984
C. tropidogaster BOULENGER, 1885
C. mysoriensis* (JERDON, 1853)
C. beddomei* (THEOBALD, 1876)
C. siparensis* (BEDDOME, 1870)
C. australis* MANAMENDRA-ARACHCHI, BATUWITA & PETHIYAGODA, 2007
C. monticola* MANAMENDRA-ARACHCHI, BATUWITA & PETHIYAGODA, 2007
C. goaensis* SHARMA, 1976
C. nilgirica* MANAMENDRA-ARACHCHI, BATUWITA & PETHIYAGODA, 2007
C. ornatus* (BEDDOME, 1870)
C. otai* DAS & BAUER, 2000
C. indranieldasi* BAUER, 2002
C. wynaadensis* (BEDDOME, 1870)
C. yercadensis* DAS & BAUER, 2000
C. kolhapurensis GIRI, BAUER & GAIKWAD, 2009

Calodactylodes BEDDOME, 1870
This genus has only one, rare species of gecko that is found only in the rocky ravine country in Eastern Ghats & north Western Ghats. This species is often reported to live and nest communally, in large numbers in caves and rock formations. The males, especially the large, territorial males are golden yellow and thus the name ‘Golden gecko’.
Calodactylodes aureus* BEDDOME, 1870

Gehyra GRAY, 1834
This genus is represented by a single species which is known to be distributed in an uneven manner in most psrts of the country . An oceanic gecko distributed in some parts of Southeast Asia. In Southern India, it is known from South Kerala, especially in Thiruvananthapuram district. In this region, it also occurs in human habitation. It can be identified by the presence of four claws in the limbs, with the first digit lacking the claw.
Gehyra mutilata (WEIGMAN, 1835)

Hemiphyllodactylus BLEEKER, 1860
This genus, represented by only one south Indian species, is a small, gecko found in rocky hills of Eastern & southern Western Ghats. This gecko is a slender, short-limbed species that is grayish brown. It can be easily identified by the orange-red underside.
Hemiphyllodactylus aurantiacus* (BEDDOME, 1870)

Geckoella
This genus of geckos are commonly called ‘Ground gecko’, due to their squat build and terrestrial habits. These geckos are characterized by thin, slender digits, similar to Cnemaspis geckos, but have vertically elliptical pupil and are nocturnal. This genus comprises of 3 species in southern India. Most are found in low hills and / or foothills.
Geckoella collegalensis* (BEDDOME, 1870)
Geckoella nebulosus* (BEDDOME, 1870)
Geckoella albofasciata* (BOULENGER, 1885)