It has made its way to several areas of the world including Sri Lanka, Indochina, and many of the Pacific Islands.

Compared to the common house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus), the appearance of G. mutilata is somewhat plump, with delicate skin.

The upper surface of the body and the throat are covered with small granular scales, which are largest and flat on the back.

The nostril is pierced between the rostral, the first labial, and three nasals, the upper much the largest and generally in contact with its fellow.

Its lower surface generally has a median series of large transversely dilated scales.

[4] The species G. mutilata is widely distributed throughout Borneo, southeastern China, French Polynesia, Hawaii (Maui), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Mascarene Islands, western Mexico, Myanmar, Thailand, New Guinea, the Philippines, the Pitcairn Islands, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.

[1][2][4][5] Like many other geckos, G. mutilata is very adaptable to its surroundings, although it usually prefers woodlands, rocky areas, and human dwellings, at altitudes from sea level to 1,400 m (4,600 ft).

Many people don't mind the gecko either, perhaps because, being a nocturnally active species, it spends much of its time high up on walls and ceilings.