Hemidactylus frenatus
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English name: Spiny-tailed House Gecko (aka “Common House Gecko” or “Asian House Gecko”)
Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatus
Thai name: Ching-chok Hang Nam
Description: To 14 cm long. Body is usually grey to brown, sometimes with dark markings. At night they can appear a very pale, almost white color. The head has a light line that originates at the nose and passes through the eye, most prominent in darker individuals. Tail has rings of small spines (longest on the sides) which give it its common name. Individuals that have lost and regrown their tails may have most or all of the spines missing. Toes have the characteristic lamellae of house geckos. Underbelly is cream.
Similar Species: Siamese Leaf-toed Gecko has tubercles on the sides and longer, more slender toes that lack the lamellae.
Sri Lankan House Gecko has more regular dark markings on back.
Flat-tailed House Gecko has flatter tail with no spines and an eyestripe that is dark in the middle rather than light
Stump-toed Gecko lacks the spines on its tail and has softer skin and broader toes.
Habitat: Naturally found in a wide range of habitats from savanna to rainforest, but now is primarily known by its association with humans. Is common around hotels, houses, in empty lots, rest stops, and resorts. Can be found in hollow trees and bark and under boards and other cover during the day, and is active on trees and walls at night. At night they can most easily be found near artificial lighting, where they hunt the insects attracted to the lights.
Place in the ecosystem: Eats insects and spiders. Is eaten by snakes and Tokay Geckos.
Danger to humans: Poses no danger to humans.
Conservation status and threats: Is common and widespread. No known conservation threats. Its affinity to human habitations has caused it to be introduced to many sites across the world.
Interesting facts: Geckos, like many lizards, have the ability to lose their tail when threatened. In some species the tail does not need to be bit or pulled off, but will actually just drop off with minor provocation. Over time the tail will grow back, often with different texture and markings than the original tail. Causing a lizard to lose its tail puts it at a disadvantage because it takes energy to regrow the new tail, and it lacks that defense mechanism against predators until the tail is regrown. Avoid grabbing geckos, skinks, and other lizard species with sensitive tails to help ensure that their chances for survival stay as high as possible.
The Spiny-tailed House Gecko is one of the most familiar gecko species across the world. It is native to southeast Asia, but will often hide in luggage, shipping containers, and in lumber and botanical shipments, causing it to end up across the world. Outside of Southeast Asia I have found the geckos in India, Singapore, the Philippines, Hawaii, Mexico, and Belize, and they are also known from South America, the southeastern United States, Africa, New Guinea and Australia. As long as they stick close to human habitations these introductions are not an issue, but if they move into native environments then there are worries that the geckos could disrupt insect populations as well as outcompete native lizard species.
References:
IUCN Red List: Hemidactylus frenatus
Wikipedia: Common House Gecko
Hong Kong University: Hemidactylus frenatus
Ecology Asia: Spiny-tailed Gecko
A Photographic Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand
A Field Guide to the Reptiles of South-East Asia
Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles (2nd Edition)
Reptiles and Amphibians of Thailand 
Hi Jonathan,
I am putting together an invasive species profile of Hemidactylus frenatus for use within New Zealand, and wondered whether I might have permission to use your excellent photograph of the toe morphology. It would appear in a semi-public context for the use of staff and students at the University of Auckland and also of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (customs).
I would be grateful if you would let me know.
Thank you.
Dear Jonathan Hakim,
I would like to request your permission to use your photograph foot shot of Hemidactylus frenatus in an taxonomy assignment.
The aim of the assignment is to produce a species webpage for Hemidactylus frenatus to add to an ongoing project in NUS to have a comprehensive species page for each species of Singapore.
In anticipation of your granting me permission I will reference you as the owner of the photograph in my assignment.
I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience,
Best Regards,
Doireann Ferris
National University of Singapore