Many people are curious about how big gecko species get. This is very important as they depend on their size to survive! Luckily, we have some great information here for you.
Most gecko species grow to be around three inches (7.6 cm) long from nose to tail. An average sized male will weigh around one ounce (28 grams), while an average sized female will weight slightly more due to her larger cloaca (reproductive organ).
This article will go into detail on two different ways to determine how tall your gecko can get. The first way is by measuring from ear to ear across the top of the head, which is called inter-ear measurement. The second way is using the elbow method, where you measure from tip to tip at the elbows.
Inter-Ear Measurement
We recommend doing this height test with both males and females in order to obtain more precise numbers. Simply measure each individual’s ears and use that number plus their length to calculate their total height.
Elbow Method
For this test, you should also do it when the animal is relaxed and not hungry or thirsty. Take note of the natural angle of the elbow so that you don’t need to make any adjustments.
Length of a gecko
Size is an important factor when talking about lizards! The length of a lizard makes a difference in how well it can survive and thrive.
Length is measured from nose to tail, including legs if they are able to be used for walking. Some lizards have very short legs that do not function as feet so we will ignore those for now.
Geckos are among the biggest of all lizards! They are also one of the few species where both males and females grow to similar lengths. This is because only the size of the body changes during development, never mind differences between leg or foot length.
So what does this mean? A smaller sized snake may seem like a better choice than a bigger lizard due to them being more “manageable”, but this isn’t always the case.
If you look at the average person, they measure around 5 feet tall (1.5 meters). A small garter snake, which typically grows to 1-2 feet long (30 cm – 60cm) would therefore be considered much shorter than most people!
However, a larger snake such as a reticulated python could easily reach 6ft (180cm) in length and weigh over 100 pounds (45kg)! These snakes take time to grow so they aren’t necessarily ‘small’ at a young age, just proportionally longer.
Width of a gecko
Length is usually measured in millimeters, but when it comes to gekkos, we use centimetres! A very common way to measure length is by using your hand as a reference. If you can easily cover the whole length of the lidded gecko with one hand, then they are about the same size as our hands!
Geckos that grow much longer than this typically gain weight or develop thick skin.
Height of a gecko
As you can probably tell, most any creature’s size is dependent upon two main things: how much food it eats and how well it stores this food.
Geckos are no exception to that rule!
Most any length measurement for a gecko comes down to how tall its tail is. Since they spend their time crawling around on vertical surfaces, this is what really matters when determining their height.
The longer your gecko’s tails, the taller it will be!
However, make sure not to overfeed your gecko or it may get too large and lose some of its slenderness.
Relationship between length and width
Length is how far an object extends in one direction, while width is determined by adding together its height and depth. Because gecko lizards live mostly on walls and ceilings, they have to be aware of their ceiling size as well!
Geckos usually grow about half an inch (1-2cm) per year. This slow growth rate is what makes them so interesting to watch – you have to wait years for all sorts of changes to occur.
But what happens when a gecko gets too big for its home? Luckily, there are two main types of homes that most geckos inhabit — caves and holes.
Relationship between length, width, and height
Let’s look at some examples!
Geckos are perhaps one of the most recognizable reptiles due to their unique shape and size. As we mentioned before, geckos spend most of their time hanging off of things or scaling very thin walls. This is what gives them their famous sleek appearance and stealthy behavior.
When they do decide to explore farther, however, they will usually try to stay within a few feet of the ground. Because this snake doesn’t want to get too close to obstacles such as trees or buildings, it has to be away from those things for quite some time before it can really move around.
This process, in which an animal must remain still while developing its physical strength, is known as “neuromuscular conditioning.” It helps create strong muscles by working them hard. For example, when you take a good workout seriously, your body gets stronger and more agile as the months pass.
That’s how it works for gecko muscles! Before a gecko can be considered fully grown, it needs to reach a certain length-it depends on the species-so it must grow longer limbs over time. When looking at yourself in the mirror, you can see that people with darker skin have taken longer than others to achieve their adult thickness.
Similarly, geckos need to grow wider as they develop so that they can stick to vertical surfaces better.
Factors that affect growth of a gecko
Being an ectothermic lizard, or warm-blooded animals, means that geckos rely on their internal body heat to regulate temperature. This also means that how big they get is dependent on how much energy they are able to gather via eating or by active movement.
Geckos spend most of their time hanging from surfaces, either preening themselves or looking for prey. When they move around, it’s mostly for hunting or escaping potential dangers.
When they stop moving and lying down, it is usually because they have enough food for the day or they need to find a safe place to sleep.
When they do move or climb upward, it can be to look out for predators or search for food.
All these activities use up lots of calories, so making sure your gecko has access to adequate food and a comfortable environment helps ensure its healthy development.
Types of gecko
There are two main types of gecko, which is why they look so different!
Geckos that grow very large typically are either Algerian or New Guinea horned geckos. Both of these species can get really big!
Algerians tend to reach around 15 inches (38 cm) from tip to tail. A few individuals have been reported at 20-22 in (50–55cm)![1] They also eat lots of insects making them important predators for other arthropods.
New Guinean horned geckos can be up to 5 feet long (152 cm)! These are not only tall but wide as well – their tails even fan out when they move.
Gecko vs other lizards
Technically, a lizard is not a true reptile unless it grows to at least 1 foot long. A gecko does grow slightly longer than this but only very marginally!
Geckos are actually mammals! They have fur and warm themselves by moving around and regulating body heat.
This isn’t the case for most reptiles who spend their time in cold environments where they can lay dormant until night when they actively look for food and/or mates.
So what makes a gecko big? It is how much insulation they use to regulate temperature. This includes both internal and external layers of fat or adipose tissue that help keep them warm or cool.
External glands also play an important role in temperature regulation as they secrete oils that protect them from hot temperatures and facilitate hair growth which helps them survive by reflecting light and keeping self-conscious hidden!
Internally, geckos carry glucose in their blood which acts like fuel to aid with thermoregulation. When there is not enough glucose in their system they begin to lose control of temperature regulation!
Overall, being able to maintain a stable body temperature takes a lot of work so naturally selective species tend to invest in lots of insulating materials and behaviors to find shelter and stay active during colder nights or times of year when activity is limited.