Lagartixa, tropical domestic gecko or wall gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

The tropical domestic gecko or wall gecko, scientifically called Hemidactylus mabouia (from the Greek hemi = half; dactylos = referring to the lamellae of the fingers; mabouia = feeling of fear and repulsion, derived from the language of native American tribes), is a species of small lizard often found in Brazilian homes. Depending on the region of Brazil, it can also be known as: briba, viper, lapixa, wall crocodile, maria-joaquina, lambioia, taruíra, labigó, tiquiri, gecko and chameleon. It is not a poisonous animal and has a high ability to climb surfaces. Considered an exotic species of African origin, it has a geographic distribution in Africa, South America, Central America and North America. It is very common in urban areas, however it can also be found in natural environments. It usually feeds on insects, having a great ecological importance as a biological agent in the control of urban pests. It is nocturnal, lives approximately between two and five years and the female usually lays up to two eggs per litter. It has light colors, almost transparent, rounded head and skin without scales. This animal also has a great ability to regenerate after "letting go" of its tail, a phenomenon called caudal autotomy. There are also other species of the genus Hemidactylus known as geckos, among them Hemidactylus frenatus.Pheretima worms are administered as a medicine in China. The worm contains beneficial biological agents in rat models of stroke. In clinical practice, it has been recognized for its curative effects in the treatment of epilepsy. It contains hypoxanthine, lumbrofebrin, and lumbritin.