Why are geckos often active at night?

While most lizards are diurnal—relying on acute binocular vision during daylight hours to hunt—the family Gekkonidae is predominantly nocturnal, with species that are most active from dusk to dawn.1

This shift to night activity is a defining characteristic of most geckos. Unlike other lizards that rely primarily on vision, nocturnal geckos have evolved specialized physical traits to thrive in low-light environments. For instance, their pupils are vertical and often lobed, allowing them to close into pinpoints to protect their eyes and manage light sensitivity.2

Furthermore, while most other lizards are essentially mute, geckos have developed the ability to communicate through sound, ranging from clicks and chirps to shrill barks, which serves as an effective method of interaction during their active hours at night.21