Hemidactylus citernii is a small species (total length 90 mm). It was described from "Rahanuin country" (area between Juba and Shebelle rivers) of southern Somalia. It ranges from Djibouti to Puntland and south to southern Somalia. Related species from northern regions are Hemidactylus foudaii and Hemidactylussinaitus. Hemidactylus citernii is mainly a terrestrial species and is usually found under the stones during the day and active on them at night.