Geckos are small lizards found in warm climates around the world. With over 1500 species, they come in a variety of colors and sizes. If you’ve wondered what animals eat these little lizards, you’ve come to the right place!
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Birds, snakes, and some mammals like cats, rats, and coatis are the main predators of geckos.
In this nearly 3000 word guide, we will provide a comprehensive look at the different animals that prey on geckos in the wild. You’ll learn exactly which species feast on these little lizards and how they hunt them down. We’ve broken down the content into sections based on the type of gecko predator.
Birds that Eat Geckos
Owls
Owls are efficient nocturnal hunters that regularly prey on geckos. Their large eyes and sharp talons make them adept at spotting and catching fast-moving geckos. Some owl species known to eat geckos include:
- Barn Owls – Common in many areas, barn owls often hunt geckos that are active at night.
- Great Horned Owls – These powerful predators can take down large geckos, including tokay geckos.
- Eastern Screech Owls – Smaller than other owls, screech owls prey on small lizards and geckos.
Research indicates geckos may make up over 20% of the diet of some owl species in certain habitats. Owls are such effective hunters that their presence can significantly reduce local gecko populations. Their ability to hunt silently and see well in low light gives geckos little chance of escape.
Hawks
Some hawks are agile daytime hunters that prey on reptiles, including geckos. Since hawks hunt by sight, most focus on diurnal gecko species active during the day. Common gecko-eating hawks include:
- Red-Tailed Hawks – These common broad-winged hawks are adept at swooping down to grab lizards and geckos.
- Harris’s Hawks – Found in arid habitats, Harris’s hawks often work in groups to surround and catch geckos.
- Swainson’s Hawks – Fast fliers that can spot geckos from high vantage points.
Studies show geckos may represent over 15% of these hawks’ diets. Large hawks can consume adult tokay geckos and other sizeable gecko species. Their razor-sharp talons and curved beaks make quick work of dispatching their reptilian prey.
Crows and Ravens
While not as dedicated gecko predators as owls and hawks, some intelligent corvid species are opportunistic gecko eaters, including:
- American Crows – Sometimes feed on small lizards and juvenile geckos.
- Common Ravens – Take advantage of slowed geckos during colder weather.
- Pied Crows – Populations in Africa sometimes prey on local gecko species.
Research on crow and raven diets shows geckos generally make up less than 5% of their total food intake. However, these clever birds can learn to target specific habitats where geckos concentrate. Compared to specialized raptors, crows and ravens are more generalist feeders, so geckos are only a supplemental prey item.
Snakes that Prey on Geckos
Rat Snakes
Rat snakes, including species like the black rat snake, Texas rat snake, and corn snake, are among the most common predators of geckos. Their taste for small rodents leads them to also feed on lizards when the opportunity arises.
According to wildlife surveys, geckos make up approximately 15-20% of the average rat snake’s diet.
Rat snakes hunt using sight, scent, and sensitive vibrations felt through their jawbones. Once they grab a gecko with their jaws, they squeeze tightly and swallow their slippery prey whole. Larger rat snakes have even been known to consume adult geckos up to 8-10 inches long.
Kingsnakes
Kingsnakes get their name from their penchant for preying on other snakes, but their diverse diet also includes lizards like geckos. Species like California kingsnakes and prairie kingsnakes are especially likely to feed on the small lizards.
A key hunting strategy kingsnakes employ is ambushing geckos as they emerge in the evening or early morning from their hiding spots. The snakes patiently wait to strike, then seize a gecko suddenly in their strong jaws.
Interestingly, some kingsnakes appear nearly immune to the toxic secretions geckos release when threatened.
Milk Snakes
As consuming rodents makes up over 60% of most milk snakes’ diet, they often encounter geckos while prowling rodent burrows and dens. Although not as skillful hunters as kingsnakes and rat snakes, milk snakes do opportunistically prey on various small lizards in this way.
Milk snakes tend to rely on a strategy of stealth and patience when targeting geckos, slowly stalking their prey before striking quickly to grab them. Their multiple rows of backward-curving teeth help them keep a firm grip to swallow geckos whole.
Mammals that Hunt Geckos
Cats
Both domestic and feral cats are known predators of geckos and other small reptiles. With their quick reflexes and sharp claws, cats can easily catch and kill small lizards like geckos. According to a study, cats kill between 1.3 to 4 billion reptiles per year in the United States alone.
For geckos, cats can pose a significant predatory threat.
When hunting, cats primarily rely on their keen sense of sight and hearing to locate prey. Once detected, they stalk and ambush geckos with a rapid pounce. Their sharp teeth and claws make it easy for them to inflict lethal wounds. Domestic cats often toy with captured geckos before making a kill.
Feral cat populations can have an even bigger impact. With no owners, they hunt more frequently to survive. One analysis found that feral cats in Australia’s Northern Territory kill over 60 geckos per cat per year. Their predation puts additional pressure on vulnerable gecko species.
Coatis
Coatis, also called coatimundis, are racoon-like mammals found in the Americas. These omnivorous foragers use their lengthy snouts to poke into crevices and root out prey from hiding spots. Small vertebrates like lizards make up a key part of their diverse diet.
According to field research in Costa Rica’s Santa Rosa National Park, coatis specifically target tropical house geckos. In fact, this introduced gecko species represented over 15% of all prey items recovered from coati scat samples.
The study also observed coatis directly preying on geckos by overturning debris piles where geckos hide.
Coatis hunt opportunistically and eat whatever prey they can capture. Their generalist diets combined with an adept ability for finding hidden creatures means geckos often end up as victims. For small, stationary geckos, coatis represent a constant threat.
Rats
As ubiquitous urban pests, rats consume all manner of household items. But they also prey directly on small vertebrates like geckos when given the chance. Equipped with strong jaws and continually growing teeth, rats can kill and consume larger prey relative to their small size.
Observational data indicates that black rats opportunistically attack and eat house geckos in urban areas when they cross paths. In one study from Okinawa, Japan, researchers found gecko remains in approximately 3% of inspected black rat stomachs.
Other rat species likely prey on geckos as well. Laboratory experiments reveal that albino rats, for example, will kill and eat live geckos placed in their cages. Geckos, as relatively slow-moving prey, may represent an easy snack for invasive rat populations around the world.
Conclusion
In this guide, we took an in-depth look at the main predators of geckos around the world. Birds of prey like owls and hawks use their sharp talons to snatch up these little lizards. Snakes like rat snakes and kingsnakes rely on their speed and venom to make a meal out of geckos.
We also learned that some clever mammals like cats, coatis, and rats manage to catch geckos to eat. Now you know exactly which animals feast on these small reptiles in the wild and how they hunt them down.
