Classification: Introduced Species - In the United States, G. albogularis is most prominent in Florida. With a tropical-like climate, non-native species are able to survive, and this lizard is no exception. It is most likely that the yellow-headed gecko migrated from the Key West into other parts of Florida. The first documented sighting was reported in 1934, but research suggests that they have been in Florida since 1929.

Description: This gecko can grow up to between 2.7 to 3.5 inches. A maximal length of 3.9 inches is also given. Like almost all Gonatodes species it is sexually dimorphic. Male geckos are colourful and have yellowish to orange-coloured heads and dark blue bodies, whereas the female geckos are more drab, having greyish white or light brown heads and bodies. The species are also identified by their round pupils and digits without extending lamellae. It has no eyelids. The young geckos are coloured like the females.

Males have a larger snout-vent length, distance from tip of head to the base of the tail. Both males and females reach sexual maturity at the same size with the ability to reproduce any time during the year.They reach this size around the age of 6 months. Similar to other geckos, G. albogularis does not accumulate fat in their abdomens. This suggests that reproductive abilities are not influenced by the amount of fat a lizard has. Reproductive abilities are driven by other factors. G. albogularis is also a very territorial lizard. They defend their territories by primarily waving their tails and other behaviors.

Habitat: The species seems to prefer tropical dry forest, forest edges and anthropogenic habitats. In Haiti it is primarily found along the coast as an "edificarian" -this means it prefers human buildings as habitat. They can sometimes be found indoors. As a result, they are likely to enter areas with human activity and interact with humans. G. albogularis is typically found in dry habitats but have also been observed in moist habitats.

Range: This species' wide range extends from eastern Guatemala on the Atlantic versant and southeastern Chiapas, Mexico, on the Pacific versant across Central America to northern and northeastern South America. It also includes Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Martinique in the Antilles, and it has been introduced into southern Florida. Elevational range extends from sea level to about 1,000 m asl

Found in these States: FL

Diet: Their main diet consists of insects and spiders.

Reproduction: Gonatodes albogularis prefers to lay their eggs in communal sites to maximize the hatching success and extra protection from predators. Gonatodes albogularis can have multiple offspring in a year and does not have a preferential breeding season. Females primarily nest in tree trunks laying single eggs. However, it has been observed for tree bases to be communal egg laying spots in Costa Rica and Panama. These locations are also where most of these lizards can be found along with tree branches, under rocks, debris, and in soil litter. Soil litter provides the best conditions for communal egg-laying. These conditions often lead to higher reproductive success of females along with greater success of hatchlings. A high density of eggs in one area can provide moisture control, so the eggs will not dry out as quickly. This is especially valuable during the dry season when eggs are more susceptible to desiccation. Soil litter can also act as protection. The eggs are less visible when they are hidden in the litter, so they are less prone to predators.

Status: Listed as Least Concern because it is relatively widespread, often abundant, and not declining fast enough for listing in a more threatened category.

Taxonomy: