Barton’s Thin-toed Gecko Barton’s thin-toed gecko (Mediodactylus bartoni) is a small gecko endemic to Crete and neighbouring islets. Previously included within Mediodactylus kotschyi, it was recognised as a separate species following genetic studies in 2018. It has no venom and is harmless to humans.
It has a slender body, a relatively large head and long, thin toes with claws, without the broad adhesive pads characteristic of the Moorish gecko and the Mediterranean house gecko. Its colour ranges through greyish and brown shades, often with darker transverse bands. Its appearance varies between individual island populations.
On Crete itself, it has a restricted and scattered distribution, with known populations in rocky mountain areas such as Psiloritis and the White Mountains. It also occurs on several offshore islets, including Dia, Psira, Chrysi and Koufonisi. On small islands, it inhabits low-altitude stony slopes and phrygana scrublands, while on Crete it has been recorded at elevations approaching 1,500 metres.
It shelters beneath stones and in rock crevices. These hiding places provide protection and allow it to regulate its body temperature without remaining continuously exposed to the sun. The former names Mediodactylus kotschyi bartoni and Mediodactylus kotschyi wettsteini, used for populations on Crete and its surrounding islets, are now included within Mediodactylus bartoni.
On Gavdos, the situation is different: the population formerly referred to as Mediodactylus kotschyi kalypsae is classified within Mediodactylus danilewskii. Therefore, not all thin-toed geckos in the wider region belong to the same species.
The restricted distribution of Barton’s thin-toed gecko highlights the importance of protecting the rocky habitats and small island ecosystems where it lives. When observing it, avoid handling the animal and carefully replace any stones you have moved.
