What is the difference between an anole and a gecko? Which do I have?

[Barometer Soup]

My kids brought home some type of lizards today from a fair they were at. They (and Mom) are calling them geckos, but the little piece of paper they brought home is for "Anole Food".

How can I tell what they have - geckos or anoles - so we can properly care for them?

They are about 4"-5" long, the tail is about as long as the body. When you pick them up by the tail it does't come off. The run around on your hand/arm/shirt pretty fast and can jump about 12"-14" from your hand to your chest. Sorry I can't describe them better - they just look like little lizards to me!

Help...

[dukefenton]

It sounds like an anole; they are physically similar to geckos but smaller. One surefire test - if it can run up clean glass, it's a gecko. Anoles climb well, but not that well.

[Jesse]

its prolly an anole. if the tail is very slender its an anole. if its stout and less then long. if it has large eyes then its a gecko. geckos have more flat wide head s also. anoles are very slender. theya re slim and heres a great way to tell.. google the word anole and look at the pictures.