These geckos are a light to dark gray on the dorsal and ventral sides of the body, but the young geckos are darker than the adults. The tail of the gecko is a tan to dark brown color. If the tail of a gecko is broken off, it can grow a new one but it will not be exactly like the original. Geckos have expanded toe pads and on the bottom are scales covered with a myriad of microscopic hairlike bristles. There are very small suction cups on the tips of the bristles, which help geckos to walk on ceilings and walls.
Most geckos lack movable eyelids.
The eyes are protected by transparent scales, the spectacle. Geckos clean the shields covering their eyes by licking it with their tongue. The skin can tear very easily. Geckos are very vocal. They can squeak, click, croak, and even bark, unlike most lizards which can only hiss or make simple sounds.