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Cockroaches are among the most reviled of all insects, and for good reason. Many species are known to cause extensive damage to property and food supplies when they appear in large numbers. Because of this, most people who encounter cockroaches in their homes will take whatever measures necessary to eliminate them as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there are quite a few small lizards that enjoy dining on these annoying pests. Some species have even evolved specific attributes that make them especially well-suited to hunting and consuming cockroaches as their primary source of food. Here are a few types of lizards that you may see if you also like making your home friendlier to arthropods!

Brown House Gecko

The brown house gecko (Hemidactylus augusti) is a small, common species of gecko found throughout much of southern Asia. It can be found on various types of man-made structures, including houses, barns, and other buildings. The brown house gecko has the ability to eat a wide range of small insects and arthropods, including cockroaches. Fortunately, it doesn’t appear to be picky about what it eats, which makes it especially useful as a biological pest control. It can be found in many tropical countries where cockroaches are a common problem. It has a wide distribution, so it can be found in many different types of habitats. It grows to a maximum length of about 6 inches. The brown house gecko is light-colored with darker spots and blotches on its back.

Tokay Gecko

The tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) is a large gecko species found in Southeast Asia, including southern China and northern Thailand. The tokay gecko is adapted for climbing trees, but it can also survive well on buildings. It spends much of its time hunting for arthropods, including cockroaches. The tokay gecko is a generalist feeder that can consume a wide variety of insects and other small arthropods. It can also consume small amounts of plant matter, including fruit and berries. The tokay gecko grows to a maximum length of about 12 inches. It is large and robust, and its body is covered in olive-green skin with dark blotches. It has dark bands around the base of its tail and a large, dark crest on the top of its head.

Leaf-tailed Gecko

The leaf-tailed gecko (Uroplatus spp.) is a genus of lizards found in many parts of tropical South America. Members of this genus are excellent arboreal hunters, and some species specialize in consuming large numbers of cockroaches. The most common species that is kept as a pet is Uroplatus phantasticus, known as the giant leaf-tailed gecko. This species is native to northeastern Brazil, where it can be found on trees and buildings in both tropical rainforest and mangrove swamps. It grows to a maximum length of about 8 inches. The giant leaf-tailed gecko is light-colored, with dark markings and spots on its back. It has large, flattened, leaf-like scales on its legs.

Desert Nights Sprite

The desert nights sprite (Pantherona flavigula) is a species of lizard found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is named for its large, dark, hourglass-shaped markings on its back. Like other species of gecko, the desert nights sprite consumes large numbers of cockroaches. It is a nocturnal species that is usually found on the walls of buildings at night. The desert nights sprite grows to a maximum length of about 2.5 inches. It is light-colored, with large, dark spots and blotches on its back. It has large, black eyes that help it hunt nocturnally.

Coppery Morning Gecko

The coppery morning gecko (Erocopphylla spp.) is a large species of lizard found in the forests and shrublands of southeastern Asia. It is one of many species of geckos that are commonly kept as pets to feed on pests. The coppery morning gecko feeds on many different types of insects, including cockroaches. It is a nocturnal species, and it is most active at night. The coppery morning gecko grows to a maximum length of about 5 inches. It is light-colored, with dark blotches on its back.

Conclusion

Cockroaches are among the most reviled of all insects, and for good reason. Many species are known to cause extensive damage to property and food supplies when they appear in large numbers. Fortunately, there are quite a few small lizards that are well-suited to hunting and consuming cockroaches as their primary source of food. Some species have even evolved specific attributes that make them especially suited to hunting these pests. These lizards are generalists that can consume a wide variety of different insects, including cockroaches. They are nocturnal and active at night, so they can easily catch the cockroaches that are looking for a warm, safe place to hide during the day. Whether you’re dealing with a small infestation of roaches or you’re just looking to make your home friendlier to arthropods, lizards like these can be a great way to get rid of pests!