Tarente

'If the Fates keep me away, Of dear Galese to the woolly sheep, Gaining the banks, I reach the elite soil Where Phalanthe reigned. It smiles at me, this little corner of earth, Above all: its honey equals in every point That of Hymette; at Venafre there is no point Of more beneficial oil. The favorable sky gives there a long spring, A mild winter; then Bacchus, with paternal eye, Puts vines there, worthy of Mount Falerne, On the slopes of Aulon.'

The wall gecko is a lively animal, capable of running very quickly on all surfaces and jumping very quickly (for example between the ground and a branch). It is also a fearful animal that does not let itself be easily approached. It is mainly nocturnal, but is sometimes active in early morning and late afternoon. They are frequently and relatively easily observed during summer evenings near lamps on the external walls of houses hunting in ambush the insects attracted by artificial light sources. The males are very territorial. They do not tolerate each other, and can fight in case of intrusion on their territory or for a female.

It is a gecko species mainly arboreal and nocturnal living around the Mediterranean. This gecko is characterized by its vertical pupil. It is of medium size (max. 15 cm for the largest specimens), with a relatively long tail. Its skin dotted with small protuberances gives it a stumpy and rough appearance. Its color ranges from light beige to dark brown, irregular, and can vary depending on the time of day (more or less dark to regulate temperature). Juveniles often have dark transverse bands. It has adhesive pads under the feet (setae), which allow it to move in trees and on walls (even on house windows and ceilings). It is difficult to differentiate males from females. Males are generally slightly larger and stockier, and show a slight swelling at the base of the tail. But these differences remain slight and difficult to assess without a basis for comparison.

These geckos favor rocky areas and sparse scrubland. They have also adapted very well to humans and can frequently be seen on walls, particularly near lighting — where insects gather at night.

They are insectivores (carnivores) that consume insects and larvae of suitable size that they actively hunt, including flying insects. Adults can sometimes catch small vertebrates (baby lizards typically).